70.281 Aleucis distinctata (Sloe Carpet)
fw: 13-14mm; Mar-Apr; Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn); NS-B mainly scrubby hedgerows in Essex and Suffolk
Aleucis distinctata (Sloe Carpet) §1 female
ID: Ground colour ranges from grey to brownish, with the median fascia often a shade darker; jagged antemedian and postmedian lines, darker than ground colour; terminal line of interneural black dots; smudgy central forewing spot, darker than ground colour; small faint or absent central hindwing spot; prominent white spots on dorsum of metathorax and abdomen; antennae simple. Similar to male Theria primaria (Early moth) which is also found on blackthorn but is larger (fw 14-17mm); flies Jan-Feb; has less jagged crosslines; a more rounded forewing apex; a more prominent central spot on the hindwing; bipectinate antennae; and lacks the white spots.
Dissection
Male genitalia
Female genitalia
§1 Tolleshunt d'Arcy, Essex; 10/04/2018; female; fw 12.2mm; potted on blackthorn
§2 Tolleshunt d'Arcy, Essex; 10/04/2018; male; fw 12.8mm; potted on blackthorn
§3 Tolleshunt d'Arcy, Essex; 10/04/2018; male; potted on blackthorn
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Tolleshunt d'Arcy, Essex; 10/04/2018; male; fw 12.8mm; potted on blackthorn
§3 Tolleshunt d'Arcy, Essex; 10/04/2018; male; potted on blackthorn
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 20/04/2018 (§1-2) - dissection images and §3 added 07/06/2018
