35.055 Metzneria aestivella (Carline Seedhead Moth)
ws: 13-16mm; Jun-Jul; carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris); locally common on calcareous grassland in S.England, less common further north
ID: Distinguished in key in MBGBI4.2 by: forewing not greyish-white; S3 of labial palp not thickened with appressed scales - but I have not (yet) found this feature of the labial palps to be convincing. M.littorella can be distinguished by greyish-white ground colour and it is confined to south coast of isle of Wight. M.lappella and M.metzneriella have forewing stigmata. M.aestivella/aprilella/neuropterella are probably best distinguished by genital dissection.
Male genitalia: Aedeagus with a bundle of many small cornuti; valva with a small beak and almost straight ventral margin; sacculus longer than wide and rounded at apex.
Male genitalia: Aedeagus with a bundle of many small cornuti; valva with a small beak and almost straight ventral margin; sacculus longer than wide and rounded at apex.
Dissection
Male genitalia
§1 Snettisham, Norfolk; 05/07/2013; male; fw 7.2mm
All images © Chris Lewis
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 13/12/2013 (§1)