Autographa pulchrina vs jota (Beautiful vs Plain Golden Y)
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The two reddish British Plusiines with a 'Y'' mark are quite similar and some specimens are difficult to determine especially when worn. Both are common and widespread residents, they have a similar flight season, size and forewing pattern. The 'Y' mark is variable in both species and is more often separated into a 'V' and a dot in both species. In the points of distinction given below features of A.pulchrina are given first.
References: MBGBI10, Waring & Townsend 3rd Ed, Pierce 1909, Moth Dissection
References: MBGBI10, Waring & Townsend 3rd Ed, Pierce 1909, Moth Dissection
Forewing
Marbling with pink or light purplish-brown: extensive vs more subtle
Kidney mark: distinct due to a narrow gold border vs obscure
Cross-lines: more distinct, pale golden vs more obscure, pinkish-fuscous
Subbasal line: with a proximal black blotch in dorsal half vs without the black blotch (personal observation)
Antemedian line: curved in dorsal half, sinuate in costal half vs almost straight in dorsal half, obsolescent in costal half
Postmedian line: distinctly kinked subdorsally vs slightly kinked subdorsally (but the extent of the kink is variable in both species)
Marbling with pink or light purplish-brown: extensive vs more subtle
Kidney mark: distinct due to a narrow gold border vs obscure
Cross-lines: more distinct, pale golden vs more obscure, pinkish-fuscous
Subbasal line: with a proximal black blotch in dorsal half vs without the black blotch (personal observation)
Antemedian line: curved in dorsal half, sinuate in costal half vs almost straight in dorsal half, obsolescent in costal half
Postmedian line: distinctly kinked subdorsally vs slightly kinked subdorsally (but the extent of the kink is variable in both species)
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Hindwing underside
Median line: evenly curved vs obtusely angled subcostally
Median line: evenly curved vs obtusely angled subcostally
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Genitalia
I have been unable to discern any reliable differences between the genitalia of these two species, in either sex, from the literature or from personal observations
I have been unable to discern any reliable differences between the genitalia of these two species, in either sex, from the literature or from personal observations
Page published 20/03/2018
