20.016 Argyresthia (Argyresthia) retinella (Netted Argent)
ws: 9-10mm; Jun-Jul; birch (Betula sp); common throughout GB
ID: Forewing not unicolorous; dorsum with white streak interrupted near 1/2 (MBGBI3 says at 5/12); costal half reticulate; ground colour whitish, reticulation brownish; suffused fuscous spot in place of median fascia > A.retinella
Both A.sorbiella and A.curvella are larger (ws 11-13mm and 10-12mm respectively). They both have an oblique fuscous fascia leading distally and narrowing from the dorsum towards the costa. In A.retinella this fascia is replaced by a fuscous spot – the most distinctive feature separating this species is that this spot does not form a solid patch of fuscous brown colour on the dorsum, there being just some narrow fuscous brown strigulae in this position.
Both A.sorbiella and A.curvella are larger (ws 11-13mm and 10-12mm respectively). They both have an oblique fuscous fascia leading distally and narrowing from the dorsum towards the costa. In A.retinella this fascia is replaced by a fuscous spot – the most distinctive feature separating this species is that this spot does not form a solid patch of fuscous brown colour on the dorsum, there being just some narrow fuscous brown strigulae in this position.
Dissection
Male genitalia
Female genitalia
§1 Thursley Common, Surrey; 17/06/2008; fw 4.7mm
§2 Kinlochleven, Argyll; 07/07/2011; female; fw 5.3mm
§3 Torver, Cumbria; 15/07/2015; male; fw 4.8mm; to light
§4 Mull; 19/06/2018; female; fw 4.3mm
§5 Mull; 19/06/2018; male; fw 4.5mm
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Kinlochleven, Argyll; 07/07/2011; female; fw 5.3mm
§3 Torver, Cumbria; 15/07/2015; male; fw 4.8mm; to light
§4 Mull; 19/06/2018; female; fw 4.3mm
§5 Mull; 19/06/2018; male; fw 4.5mm
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 30/01/2012 (§1-2) | §3 added 13/12/2015 | §4&5 added 19/04/2019