70.212 Macaria alternata (Sharp-angled Peacock)
fw: 13-15mm; bivoltine May-Jul, Aug; sallows/willows (Salix spp), blackthorn (Prunus spinosus), sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), alder (Alnus glutinosa); local in broad-leaved woodland, mostly in S&SE England.
ID: See Macaria for detailed comparison with the very similar M.notata (Peacock Moth). Hind-wing terminal line dashed (not continuous); apical notch deep and black; paw-print poorly-formed; post-median fascia distinct and of even breadth.
Specimen §1: Male; New Forest, Hampshire; 02/06/2012; fw 14.3mm
Hindwing marginal line continuous around point and towards costa, dotted towards dorsum and nearer costa (equivocal). Broad grey post-median fascia; black-edged, deep apical concavity; poorly-developed paw-print (all favour M.alternata).
Hindwing marginal line continuous around point and towards costa, dotted towards dorsum and nearer costa (equivocal). Broad grey post-median fascia; black-edged, deep apical concavity; poorly-developed paw-print (all favour M.alternata).
Specimen §2: Male; New Forest, Hampshire; 02/06/2012; fw 13.6mm
Hindwing marginal line dotted; broad grey post-median fascia; black-edged, deep apical concavity; poorly-developed paw-print (all favour M.alternata).
Hindwing marginal line dotted; broad grey post-median fascia; black-edged, deep apical concavity; poorly-developed paw-print (all favour M.alternata).
Specimen §3: Male; Newgale, Pemborkeshire; 17/05/2011
Hindwing marginal line dotted; broad grey post-median fascia; black-edged, deep apical concavity (all favour M.alternata). This specimen has a fairly well-developed paw-print, though not as well developed as in M.notata.
Hindwing marginal line dotted; broad grey post-median fascia; black-edged, deep apical concavity (all favour M.alternata). This specimen has a fairly well-developed paw-print, though not as well developed as in M.notata.
Specimen §4: Male; Foulness, Essex; 20/07/2014
Hindwing marginal line dotted; black-edged deep apical concavity (both favouring M.alternata). Postmedian fascia somewhat diffuse; paw-print moderately well-developed (both indeterminate).
Hindwing marginal line dotted; black-edged deep apical concavity (both favouring M.alternata). Postmedian fascia somewhat diffuse; paw-print moderately well-developed (both indeterminate).
Specimen §5: Female; Romansleigh, Devon; 30/06/2016
Hindwing marginal line dotted; black-edged, deep apical concavity (favours M.alternata); postmedian fascia and paw-print both moderately well-developed (both indeterminate). Female genitalia - see comments here: Macaria
Hindwing marginal line dotted; black-edged, deep apical concavity (favours M.alternata); postmedian fascia and paw-print both moderately well-developed (both indeterminate). Female genitalia - see comments here: Macaria
Specimen §6: Male - Foulness, Essex; 03/08/2018; fw 12.9mm
Hindwing marginal line dotted; black-edged (but not especially deep) apical cavity of forewing; postmedian fascia of even width and moderately well-developed (all favouring M.alternata); paw-print well-developed (favours M.notata).
Hindwing marginal line dotted; black-edged (but not especially deep) apical cavity of forewing; postmedian fascia of even width and moderately well-developed (all favouring M.alternata); paw-print well-developed (favours M.notata).
Page published 15/02/2014 | Text amended 25/05/2014 | §4 added 15/08/2014 | §5 added ~Jan 2017 | §6 added 19/02/2019