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GEOMETRIDAE | Sterrhinae : Cosymbiini
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70.033 Cyclophora puppillaria (Blair's Mocha)
fw: 12-15mm; Aug-Oct; scarce but regular migrant and has established breeding colonies (eg West Sussex) following large migration events.
Cyclophora puppillaria (Blair's Mocha) §2 female
ID: Pinkish-brown ground colour excludes other Cyclophora species except some 2nd generation C.linearia (Clay Triple-lines) in which the cross-lines that give this species its English name may be faint and C.porata (False Mocha). Both C.puppillaria and C.linearia have a hooked forewing apex; usually blunt in C.porata. C.puppillaria, C.porata and some C.linearia show a small dark-ringed pale dot on each wing - when present in C.linearia the hindwing dot is larger than the forewing dot. C.puppillaria has a tiny oblique black fleck at the forewing apex which is not present in C.porata or C.linearia, though the latter may show darker terminal dashes into the apex. C.porata usually shows coarse freckling of both wings and has dark blotches in the subterminal area of the forewing. Doubtful specimens require genital dissection for confident ID. This is dealt with in the Difficult Species Guide.
Male Genitalia: In C.porata and C.linearia the valva has a broad ventral projection which is lacking in C.puppillaria. The obvious sclerotised projection from the sacculus is called a "fibula" in DSG. In C.puppillaria it is characterised by being "very long, broad at base, sharply bent and sickle-like".
Female Genitalia: The female genital differences between Cyclophora species are minor and probably inconclusive. The ductus bursae of C.puppilaria is relatively short and broad.
Male Genitalia: In C.porata and C.linearia the valva has a broad ventral projection which is lacking in C.puppillaria. The obvious sclerotised projection from the sacculus is called a "fibula" in DSG. In C.puppillaria it is characterised by being "very long, broad at base, sharply bent and sickle-like".
Female Genitalia: The female genital differences between Cyclophora species are minor and probably inconclusive. The ductus bursae of C.puppilaria is relatively short and broad.
§1 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 05/10/2013; female; fw 11.5mm; feeding on ivy
§2 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 18/10/2015; female; to light
§3 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 22/10/2015; male; fw 14.0mm; to light
§4 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 08/10/2016; male; fw 12.4mm; to light
§5 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 10/10/2016; to light
§6 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; ??/??/????; female; (specimen provided by Mick Scott)
§7 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 24/10/2022; male; fw13.5mm; (specimen provided by Mick Scott)
§8 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 04/10/2023
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 18/10/2015; female; to light
§3 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 22/10/2015; male; fw 14.0mm; to light
§4 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 08/10/2016; male; fw 12.4mm; to light
§5 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 10/10/2016; to light
§6 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; ??/??/????; female; (specimen provided by Mick Scott)
§7 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 24/10/2022; male; fw13.5mm; (specimen provided by Mick Scott)
§8 St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; 04/10/2023
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 23/10/2013 (§1) | §2-3 added 01/11/2015 | §4&5 added 11/10/2016 | dissection images of §4 added 10/11/2016 |
§6 added and text amended 27/11/2022 | §7 added 14/01/2023 | §8 added 31/12/2023
§6 added and text amended 27/11/2022 | §7 added 14/01/2023 | §8 added 31/12/2023
