12.037 Monopis weaverella (Carrion Moth)
ws: 13-18mm; May-Aug, mostly Jun; widespread throughout the UK, much less common than M.laevigella
Monopis weaverella §1 male
ID: M.weaverella is usually most easily distinguished from M.laevigella by having a large pale tornal spot (MBGBI2)
However, M.laevigella sometimes has a pale tornal spot. Further features given in MBGBI2 for separation of these two species are:
1) Position of the pale hyaline spot at .4 from base to apex of forewing in M.laevigella and .45 in M.weaverella. - I have found this to be an entirely unreliable distinction
2) Irroration with transparent whitish scales more marked in M.laevigella.
3) More striking contrast between darker wing and pale cilia in M.weaverella.
Male genitalia 4) Gnathos has a blunter tip in M.weaverella. 5) Valvae more elongate in M.weaverella. 6) Saccus longer in M.laevigella.
Saccus:valva ratio 1.4-1.7 for M.laevigella, 1.0-1.2 for M.weaverella.
Female genitalia: In comparing of the images of female genitalia of M.weaverella/laevigella at Moth Dissection, both show a ring of signa at around halfway along the corpus bursae. In M.weaverella ~8 angular relatively coarse signa are shown; in M.laevigella ~16 relatively fine signa are shown. Possibly a short sclerotised section of DB from ostium is present in M.laevigella and not in M.weaverella?
See Monopis for more detail
However, M.laevigella sometimes has a pale tornal spot. Further features given in MBGBI2 for separation of these two species are:
1) Position of the pale hyaline spot at .4 from base to apex of forewing in M.laevigella and .45 in M.weaverella. - I have found this to be an entirely unreliable distinction
2) Irroration with transparent whitish scales more marked in M.laevigella.
3) More striking contrast between darker wing and pale cilia in M.weaverella.
Male genitalia 4) Gnathos has a blunter tip in M.weaverella. 5) Valvae more elongate in M.weaverella. 6) Saccus longer in M.laevigella.
Saccus:valva ratio 1.4-1.7 for M.laevigella, 1.0-1.2 for M.weaverella.
Female genitalia: In comparing of the images of female genitalia of M.weaverella/laevigella at Moth Dissection, both show a ring of signa at around halfway along the corpus bursae. In M.weaverella ~8 angular relatively coarse signa are shown; in M.laevigella ~16 relatively fine signa are shown. Possibly a short sclerotised section of DB from ostium is present in M.laevigella and not in M.weaverella?
See Monopis for more detail
§1 Foulness, Essex; 02/08/2009; male; fw 6.8mm
§2 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 25/07/2014; male (removed)
§3 Foulness, Essex; 19/07/2014; female; fw 5.9mm (removed, identity not certain)
§4 Foulden Common, Norfolk; 14/08/2016; male
§5 Foulness, Essex; 20/05/2018; female; fw 5.3mm
§6 Foulness, Essex; 16/05/2020; female; fw 6.7mm
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 25/07/2014; male (removed)
§3 Foulness, Essex; 19/07/2014; female; fw 5.9mm (removed, identity not certain)
§4 Foulden Common, Norfolk; 14/08/2016; male
§5 Foulness, Essex; 20/05/2018; female; fw 5.3mm
§6 Foulness, Essex; 16/05/2020; female; fw 6.7mm
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published Feb 2011 | §2 added and text amended 07/08/2014 | §3 added 18/08/2014 | ID vs M.laevigella modified 23/11/2014 |
§4 added and §2 removed (worn specimen) 20/04/2017 | §5 added and §3 removed (identity not certain) 07/03/2019 | §6 added 16/01/2021
§4 added and §2 removed (worn specimen) 20/04/2017 | §5 added and §3 removed (identity not certain) 07/03/2019 | §6 added 16/01/2021
