70.094 Ecliptopera silaceata (Small Phoenix)
fw: 13-17mm; bivoltine Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep; willowherbs (Epilobium spp); common throughout GB
Ecliptopera silaceata (Small Phoenix) §2 female
ID: There are 5 species of carpet that have forewings with a brown basal fascia edged white distally and a brown central cross-band edged white proximally and distally. Eulithis prunata (Phoenix) is larger (fw 17-19mm) than any of the other species, though the largest Lampropteryx suffumata (Water Carpet (fw 14-17mm) and E.silaceata (Small Phoenix) (fw 13-17mm) may overlap with the smallest E.prunata. L.suffumata flies Apr-May and has a double-pointed projection from the distal margin of the central cross-band. L.otregiata (Devon Carpet) has a similar double-pointed projection and is smaller (fw 12-14mm). Both E.silaceata and E.prunata lack any significant projection from the distal margin of the central cross-band and show a subterminal series of dentate interneural blotches. In some E.silaceata the central cross-band is broken from the indentation in its proximal margin and along veins 3&4 (?) to isolate a tear drop-shaped area of the cross-band; where the cross-band is not broken an indication of this tear-drop shaped area can usually still be discerned. E.prunata does not show this feature. Electrophaes corylata (Broken-barred Carpet) has a narrower central cross-band which is usually pinched or separated into two parts at the junction of the costal 2/3 with the dorsal 1/3.
Male genitalia: The uncus of E.silaceata is noticeably shorter and broader than that of E.prunata; the valva of E.prunata shows a projection at the the ventro-lateral angle - evenly rounded in E.silaceata; the anellus lobes are rounded in E.silaceata, elongate in E.prunata; cornuti a band of short narrow spines in E.silaceata, large long robust spines in E.prunata.
Male genitalia: The uncus of E.silaceata is noticeably shorter and broader than that of E.prunata; the valva of E.prunata shows a projection at the the ventro-lateral angle - evenly rounded in E.silaceata; the anellus lobes are rounded in E.silaceata, elongate in E.prunata; cornuti a band of short narrow spines in E.silaceata, large long robust spines in E.prunata.
Dissection
Male genitalia
Female genitalia
§1 Strumpsahw Fen, Norfolk; 27/07/2012; male; fw 13.3mm
§2 Strumpsahw Fen, Norfolk; 23/08/2012; female
§3 Newborough Forest, Anglesey; 01/08/2007
§4 Newborough Forest, Anglesey; 01/08/2007
§5 New Forest. Hampshire; 30/05/2010
§6 Bampton Grange, Cumbria; 01/05/2017; male; fw 14.0mm
§7 Cliburn Moss, Cumbria; 03/08/2019; male; fw 12.7 (gen.det.)
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Strumpsahw Fen, Norfolk; 23/08/2012; female
§3 Newborough Forest, Anglesey; 01/08/2007
§4 Newborough Forest, Anglesey; 01/08/2007
§5 New Forest. Hampshire; 30/05/2010
§6 Bampton Grange, Cumbria; 01/05/2017; male; fw 14.0mm
§7 Cliburn Moss, Cumbria; 03/08/2019; male; fw 12.7 (gen.det.)
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 16/04/2013 (§1-5) | §6 added 02/04/2018 | §7 added 20/10/2019
