07.012 Nematopogon schwarziellus (Sandy Long-horn)
ws: 14-17mm; May-Jun; larva feeds on dead leaves; common in woodland and more open habitats throughout UK
Nematopogon schwarziellus §1 male
ID: Hindwing narrow scales widely distributed; fw pale ochreous (not greyish ochreous); ws 14-17mm (fe 7-8mm) > N.schwarziellus
The male hindwing has uniformly narrow scales, the female has a marginal band of broader scales.
Very similar to N.metaxella which has a similar colouring and size and is most reliably distinguished by having the narrow hindwing scales confined to the basal half. The undissected moth may be distinguishable on the basis that the antenna of N.metaxella is entirely white, while that of N.schwarziellus has ochreous bars (which may be confined to the underside).
Other features that are said to differ between the species appear to be unreliable: The forewing of N.metazella is said to have a more acutely angled apex and less prominent reticulation. The frons of N.schwarziellus is said to be whitish contrasting with the ochreous vertex, while in N.metaxella both frons and vertex are ochreous - possibly it is more true to say that where there is such a contrast the species is N.schwarziellus, but I have found specimens of N.schwarziellus with an entirely ochreous head, so N.metaxella cannot be identified on this feature.
Male genitalia: N.schwarziellus has a small spine at the apex of the valva, absent in all other Nematopogon species. See N.swammerdamella for more detail.
Female genitalia: N.schwarziellus and N.metaxella are both shown at Moth Dissection. The key distinction on comparing these images is in the apex of the ovipositor which is acutely pointed in N.metaxella and squared off with a small central nipple in N.schwarziellus. The images shown here of the female genitalia of individuals which are definitely N.schwarziellus, if the hindwing scales and antennal distinctions are reliable, look identical to the images of N.metaxella at Moth Dissection (more work needed - in particular I have not yet identified female N.metaxella)
The male hindwing has uniformly narrow scales, the female has a marginal band of broader scales.
Very similar to N.metaxella which has a similar colouring and size and is most reliably distinguished by having the narrow hindwing scales confined to the basal half. The undissected moth may be distinguishable on the basis that the antenna of N.metaxella is entirely white, while that of N.schwarziellus has ochreous bars (which may be confined to the underside).
Other features that are said to differ between the species appear to be unreliable: The forewing of N.metazella is said to have a more acutely angled apex and less prominent reticulation. The frons of N.schwarziellus is said to be whitish contrasting with the ochreous vertex, while in N.metaxella both frons and vertex are ochreous - possibly it is more true to say that where there is such a contrast the species is N.schwarziellus, but I have found specimens of N.schwarziellus with an entirely ochreous head, so N.metaxella cannot be identified on this feature.
Male genitalia: N.schwarziellus has a small spine at the apex of the valva, absent in all other Nematopogon species. See N.swammerdamella for more detail.
Female genitalia: N.schwarziellus and N.metaxella are both shown at Moth Dissection. The key distinction on comparing these images is in the apex of the ovipositor which is acutely pointed in N.metaxella and squared off with a small central nipple in N.schwarziellus. The images shown here of the female genitalia of individuals which are definitely N.schwarziellus, if the hindwing scales and antennal distinctions are reliable, look identical to the images of N.metaxella at Moth Dissection (more work needed - in particular I have not yet identified female N.metaxella)
§1 Whiteshill, Gloucestershire; 13/05/2011; male; fw 7.1mm
§2 Hadleigh downs, Essex; 22/05/2012; female; fw 7.0mm
§3 Noar Hill, Hampshire; 18/05/2014; male; fw 7.8mm
§4 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 25/05/2018; male; fw 7.1mm
§5 Orlestone Forest, Kent; 18/05/2020; female; fw 7.7mm
§6 Orlestone Forest, Kent; 18/05/2020; female; fw 7.0mm
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Hadleigh downs, Essex; 22/05/2012; female; fw 7.0mm
§3 Noar Hill, Hampshire; 18/05/2014; male; fw 7.8mm
§4 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 25/05/2018; male; fw 7.1mm
§5 Orlestone Forest, Kent; 18/05/2020; female; fw 7.7mm
§6 Orlestone Forest, Kent; 18/05/2020; female; fw 7.0mm
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published Aug 2011 | §2 added 15/06/2012 | §3 added 26/05/2014 | §4 added 10/03/2019 | §5&6 added and text amended 17/01/2021
