15.005 Caloptilia betulicola (Red Birch Slender)
ws: 14-16mm; bivoltine - Jun-Jul, Sep-Apr; birch (Betula spp.); widespread and common throughout UK
Caloptilia betulicola §1 female
ID: Keyed as - S2 of labial palps not tufted; forewing unmarked; ws 14-16mm; hindleg with trochanter and adjacent area white.
This specimen illustrates a difficulty with devising a key for this genus and in particular with using the one in MBGBI2,
which assumes the costal blotch is absent or indistinct for this species. However the species text states that the costal blotch is usually present!
The ID for §1 was clinched by genital examination - the ductus bursae being quite distinct from that of similar species.
Note that the time of capture of this fresh specimen was 1 month ahead of the advertised schedule.
This specimen illustrates a difficulty with devising a key for this genus and in particular with using the one in MBGBI2,
which assumes the costal blotch is absent or indistinct for this species. However the species text states that the costal blotch is usually present!
The ID for §1 was clinched by genital examination - the ductus bursae being quite distinct from that of similar species.
Note that the time of capture of this fresh specimen was 1 month ahead of the advertised schedule.
§1 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; 05/08/2009; female; fw 6.9mm
§2 Pound Wood, Essex; 11/07/2019; female; fw 6.8mm
§3 Pound Wood, Essex; 22/07/2020; female; fw 6.5mm
§4 Cliburn Moss, Cumbria; 26/04/2021; male; fw 6.8mm; to light
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Pound Wood, Essex; 11/07/2019; female; fw 6.8mm
§3 Pound Wood, Essex; 22/07/2020; female; fw 6.5mm
§4 Cliburn Moss, Cumbria; 26/04/2021; male; fw 6.8mm; to light
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published Feb 2011 (§1) | §2 added 11/07/2019 | §3 added 01/02/2021 | §4 added 12/05/2021
