Identification of macro-moth families & sub-families

Identification of macro-moth families & sub-families Introduction This guide is intended for use by Garden Moth Scheme (GMS) recorders and other British and Irish moth enthusiasts who are using moth traps to capture moths overnight. It is for those who already have some understanding of moth taxonomy and morphology but struggle to easily home-in on which moth family or sub-family they are trying to identify. For further information about how to get started, see www.gardenmoths.org.uk. This guide should be used with the Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland by Waring, Townsend and Lewington, British Wildlife Publishing (2017 third edition) (WTL). This excellent guide provides comprehensive coverage of the nearly 900 species of larger moths, known as macro-moths. However, for those who are not familiar with the various moth families and faced with several unknown moths, looking right through WTL each time is a daunting and time-consuming process. This guide provides photographs and useful pointers to all of the various groups of macro-moths and follows the colour coding of WTL for ease of cross-referencing. For completeness, it also includes families that fly by day & are rarely caught in moth traps. For each group of moths the guide includes photographs at rest and identification tips, together with an additional information box showing any similar looking groups and the number of species in that family or subfamily. For example, the clearwings: No. of species: 16 Similar groups: various wasp species 1

Taxonomy is in a period of change for the order and arrangement of families, this guide follows the order of families as in WTL, as this is the field guide most recorders use. Numbering of species in the guide crossreferences to the newer British taxonomic number, as in the Checklist of the Lepidoptera of the British Isles by Agassiz, Beavan and Heckford, Field Studies Council (2013, ABH) followed by the older Bradley and Fletcher (B&F) system as updated in 2000. (These numbers are given just below the family name in the text) In a few cases, family names have changed in ABH, so these new family names are the ones used below. Swift Moths (Hepialidae) (Species nos ABH 3.001 to 3.005, B&F 0014 to 0018) Forewing length 11 35mm. Caddis fly shaped with very short antennae. No proboscis so do not feed at flowers or sugar. Largely crepuscular. Ghost Moth - female Orange Swift Map-winged Swift No. of species: 5 Leopard Moths & Goat Moth (Cossidae) (Species nos ABH 50.001 to 50.003, B&F 0160 to 0162) Forewing length 15 42mm. Large and caddis fly shaped. No proboscis and are nocturnal. Reed Leopard Leopard Moth Goat Moth No. of species: 3 2

Clearwings (Sesiidae) (Species nos ABH 52.001 to 52.016, B&F 0369a to 0384) Forewing length 6 21mm. Do not occur in moth traps and therefore not in the GMS. Day-flying and wasp-like except for the lack of a waste between the thorax and abdomen and wings have a dark border with cilia and discal spots. They have a tuft of hair at the tip of the abdomen. Currant Clearwing Welsh Clearwing Yellow-legged Clearwing No. of species: 16 Similar groups: various wasp species Festoon & Triangle (Limacodidae) (Species nos ABH 53.001 to 53.002, B&F 0173 to 0174) Forewing length 5 13mm. Only two species in British Isles and both quite scarce. Small with rounded forewings and characteristic tent-like posture. Proboscis is rudimentary, so adults don t feed. Festoon side view Festoon from above No. of species: 2 3

Burnets & Foresters (Zygaenidae) (Species nos ABH 54.001 to 54.010, B&F 0163 to 0172) Forewing length 10 19mm. Do not occur in moth traps and therefore not in the GMS. Day-flying with semi-clubbed antennae. Foresters are metallic green and burnets are mostly black with red spots. They have a proboscis, and are attracted to flowers in wildflower meadows. Six-spot Burnet Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Forester No. of species: 10 Hook-tips (Drepanidae) (Species nos ABH 65.001 to 65.007, B&F 1645 to 1651) Forewing length 10 21mm. Quite small and lightly built, with no proboscis. Most rest with wings spread and all but Chinese Character have hooks on the tip or apex of the wings. Scalloped Hook-tip Pebble Hook-tip Chinese Character No. of species: 7 Similar groups: Geometridae and Beautiful Hook-tip (Erebidae) 4

Lutestrings (Drepanidae) (Species nos ABH 65.008 to 65.016, B&F 1652 to 1660) Forewing length 14 21mm. Size and build similar to noctuids. Usually after landing they rest with wings spread and then settle with wings folded. Forewings usually with wavy cross-lines and small stigmata. Nocturnal with proboscis. Buff Arches Common Lutestring Yellow Horned No. of species: 9 Similar groups: noctuids, but stigmata less obvious Eggars & Lappets (Lasiocampidae) (Species nos ABH 66.001 to 66.012, B&F 1631 to 1642) Forewing length 13 42mm. Usually large, hairy and stout-bodied, with small eyes and short legs. Wings are broad and round with two cross lines. No proboscis. Males have strongly feathered antennae and in some species are day flying. All the others come to light. December Moth Lackey Drinker No. of species: 12 5

(Species no ABH 67.001, B&F 1644) Kentish Glory (Endromidae) Forewing length 14 39mm. Large, hairy and stout-bodied, with small eyes and short legs. No proboscis. Male has strongly feathered antennae. Unmistakeable with broad wings, black, white and chestnut markings and comes to light. Male Female and eggs No. of species: 1 (Species no ABH 68.001, B&F 1643) Emperor Moth (Saturniidae) Forewing length 27 41mm. Large, hairy and stout-bodied, with small eyes and short legs. No proboscis. Male has strongly feathered antennae and is day flying. Female comes to light. Unmistakeable with broad wings and prominent eye in centre of each wing. Male Female No. of species: 1 6

Hawk-moths (Sphingidae) (Species nos ABH 69.001 to 69.018, B&F 1972 to 1993) Forewing length 18 60mm. Large and powerfully built moths that sometimes migrate long distances. Forewings usually long, narrow and pointed, with much smaller hind wings. Some species feed from flowers while hovering like hummingbirds and some do not feed at all. Nocturnal species come well to light. Pine Hawk-moth Poplar Hawk-moth Small Elephant Hawk-moth No. of species: 18 Geometrid Moths or Geometers (Geometridae) 307 species (Species nos ABH 70.001 to 70.307, B&F 1661 to 1970,) Butterfly-like Lepidoptera, usually with slim bodies and wings held spread. Those that rest with all four wings showing have patterning extending across all four wings. Those that rest with hindwings hidden under forewings, usually have mostly unpatterned hindwings. Larvae popularly known as loopers or inch-worms due to their method of locomotion during which they arch their backs, The geometrids can further be sub-divided into five sub-families, as below: Mochas & Waves (Sterrhinae) (Species nos ABH 70.001 to 70.038, B&F 1675 to 1716) Forewing length 8 18mm. Small and delicate with wings bone-coloured, cream or brown with a pattern of fine, wavy cross-lines. Usually rest with all wings spread. Mainly nocturnal and sometimes seen at flowers. Mocha Blood-vein Riband Wave No. of species: 38 Similar groups: some similar species in Ennominae 7

Carpets (Larentiinae) (Species nos ABH 70.039 to 70.140 & 70.191 to 70.202, B&F 1718 to 1810 & 1863 to 1883) Forewing length 8 22mm. Small to average size, but with a light build. Usually have characteristic triangular resting position with wings spread flat, but with hindwings hidden under forewings. The hindwings are usually less well-patterned than the forewings, which have an intricate banded pattern. Mostly nocturnal, but often disturbed by day. Garden Carpet Small Phoenix Red-green Carpet No. of species: 114 Similar groups: usually none Pugs (Larentiinae) (Species nos ABH 70.141 to 70.190, B&F 1811 to 1862) Forewing length 7 15mm. Small and delicate with wings held flat and hindwings usually partly concealed by forewings to form a shape distinctive of this group. Most are nocturnal coming well to light, flowers and sugar. Often grey or brown and obscurely marked and can be difficult to identify. Bordered Pug Brindled Pug Double-striped Pug No. of species: 50 8

Orange Underwings (Archiearinae) (Species nos ABH 70.203 to 70.204, B&F 1661 to 1662) Forewing length 15 19mm. Orange Underwings usually rest with hindwings mostly covered by dark brown forewings, but showing a small amount of orange. They are dayflyers. Species are very similar and need separating with care, usually by netting. (unfortunately photograph of Orange Underwing is still required for this guide!) Light Orange Underwing Light Orange Underwing No. of species: 2 Similar groups: maybe some Carpets Thorns, Beauties, Umbers etc (Ennominae) (Species nos ABH 70.205 to 70.295, B&F 1884 to 1970) Forewing length 10 32mm. A variable group, often large with thicker bodies than other geometrids. Patterns are usually less detailed than on carpets and the wing edges are often scalloped. Some females of winter species are flightless. Attracted well to light, but rarely to sugar and flowers. Most species rest with all wings spread, but a few rest with wings together vertically above the body. Purple Thorn Swallow-tailed Moth Mottled Beauty No. of species: 91 Similar groups: usually none, but smaller ones similar to Waves & Carpets 9

Emeralds (Geometrinae) (Species nos ABH 70.296 to 70.307, B&F 1664 to 1674) Forewing length 11 29mm. Usually rest with all four wings spread and visible. Fore & hindwings are usually green, but this colour fades quickly, so that some older individuals can appear almost white. Most have two paler or darker crosslines across their wings. They are nocturnal and attracted to light. Rest Harrow Common Emerald Large Emerald No. of species: 12 Similar groups: Light Emerald (Ennominae) Prominents & Kittens (Notodontidae) (Species nos ABH 71.001 to 71.029, B&F 1994 to 2022) Forewing length 11 38mm. Moderately built moths with short furry legs. Their strong markings make them popular with moth trappers. Nocturnal and do not feed, but are strongly attracted to light. Most rest with their wings roof like over their body, rather like noctuids, but usually have noticeable tufts along the trailing edge of wings that show along the top of their backs when resting. Sallow Kitten Pebble Prominent Pale Prominent No. of species: 29 Similar groups: plusias 10 7

Erebidae 88 species (Species nos ABH 72.001 to 72.088, B&F 2024 to 2069, 2296, 2407 to 2409a, 2451 to 2495) This is a very diverse family with moths in a variety of sizes and habits. Included in this family are the tussocks, tigers and footmen. Also included are sub-families formerly though to be part of Noctuidae. These are the snouts, fan-foots, marbleds and the Catocala underwings. More details are given in the following sub-families. The Herald Scoliopteryginae, Straw Dot Rivulinae & Snouts - Hypeninae (Species nos ABH 72.001 to 72.007, B&F 2469, 2474, 2476 to 2480) The Herald and Straw Dot are both very distinctive species. Heralds are stocky moths with hooked forewings held horizontally. Straw Dot is a small pale coloured species with a dark spot in the centre of each wing. Snouts have delta-shaped wings when at rest and distinctive snouts on their heads made from long palps. Herald Straw Dot Snout No. of species: 8 Tussocks (Lymantriinae) (Species nos ABH 72.008 to 72.018, B&F 2024 to 2034) Forewing length 12 31mm. Fairly large moths, with forelegs noticeably long and furry, held outstretched when at rest. Wings are often broad and rounded. Males have feathery antennae. Do not feed, but come well to light. Two species (vapourers) have flightless females and males tthat fly by day and night. Several other species are mainly white, have irritant hairs and should not be touched. Vapourer Pale Tussock Black Arches No. of species: 11 11 9

Tigers & Footmen (Arctiinae) 32 species Tigers & Ermines (Species nos ABH 72.019 to 72.031, B&F 2054 to 2069) Forewing length 14 37mm. Mostly of stocky build with strong patterns of bright warning colours; white, black, red and yellow. No proboscis. Some are day flyers. The night flyers come readily to light. Garden Tiger Buff Ermine Muslin Moth No. of species: 14 Footmen (Species nos ABH 72.032 to 72.050, B&F 2035 to 2053) Forewing length 10 26mm. Slim moths with wings held folded back over their body in a similar way to a noctuid. Forewings long and narrow, hindwings broader, usually coloured grey, cream or orange. Wings often lacking markings. Many species feed at flowers while all come to light. Rosy Footman Common Footman Four-spotted Footman No. of species: 19 10 12

Fan-foots (Herminiinae) & Small Snouts (Hypenodinae) (Species nos ABH 72.051 to 72.062, B&F 2482 to 2494) Forewing length 6 17mm. Slender bodies with flat triangular shape due to forewings resting flat rather like carpet moths. On the front of the head are prominent palps, forming a snout, but smaller than the true Snouts. Common Fan-foot Fan-foot Pinion-streaked Snout No. of species: 12 Similar groups: Snouts, but smaller Blacknecks (Toxocampinae), Marbleds & allies (Boletobiinae) (Species nos ABH 72..063 to 72.074, B&F 2296, 2407 to 2409a, 2466 to 2467, 2470 to 2473, 2475, 2495) Forewing length 7 21mm. These moths are varied in appearance with Blacknecks looking similar to slim grey noctuids. Five species are more similar to geometrid carpets or waves, while the Marbleds are maybe more similar to Crambidae in appearance. Blackneck Olive Crescent Purple Marbled No. of species: 12 Similar groups: noctuids, geometrids & micro-moths 11 13

Catocala Underwings, Mother Shipton & allies (Erebinae) (Species nos ABH 72.075 to 72.088, B&F 2451 to 2464) Forewing length 13 48mm. The Catocala Underwings are large moths with broad camouflaged grey/brown forewings and brightly coloured hindwings. Other species can look quite noctuid like and are mediumsized with grey/brown forewings, but should be distinctive if checked carefully. All species are rare apart from Red Underwing, Mother Shipton and Burnet Companion. Clifden Nonpareil Light Crimson Underwing Mother Shipton No. of species: 14 Similar groups: some noctuids Noctuids (Noctuidae) 367 species This is still the second largest family of moths in Britain, even though taxonomists have moved some species to Erebidae and Nolidae. A large and very varied group of moths that is still being studied by taxonomists and is difficult to split into recognisable groups. Most species are stocky, medium to large size and nocturnal. They usually come to flowers and sugar, with some species more strongly attracted to sugar than light. Forewings cover hindwings and are either held roof-shaped over body, or flat over body with forewings partly overlapping each other. Wing markings usually include obvious reniform and orbicular stigmata (kidney-shaped and round-shaped marks. Only pyralid micro-moths and lutestrings share these marks). Over the next few pages, the 19 sub-families of Noctuidae will be covered, with differences outlined,where possible, they will be grouped for help with identification where possible. 14

Plusias (Plusiinae) (Species nos ABH 73.001 to 73.023, B&F 2428 to 2450) Forewing length 11 24mm. Wings are held in steeply sloping roof-like fashion at rest, with crests along the back showing between them. Stigmata are usually not well marked, but wings have prominent metallic silver, gold or white markings. Burnished Brass Silver Y Dark Spectacle No. of species: 23 Similar groups: prominents, other noctuids Six Small Sub-families of Small Noctuid Moths (Species nos ABH 73.024 to 73.033, 73.048 & 73.049, B&F 2020, 2395 & 2397, 2410 to 2415, 2425, 2464a to 2465) Eustrotiinae Marbled White-spot & Silver Hook etc. Acontiinae Pale Shoulder etc. Aediinae Four-spotted etc. Pantheinae Nut-tree Tussock. Dilobinae Figure of Eight. Metoponiinae Small Yellow Underwing & Goldwing. Forewing length 10 19mm. Six small sub-familes of small noctuids. All are marked distinctively if checked carefully. No. of species: 12 Similar groups: other small noctuids & maybe some tussocks & crambidae micro-moths 15

Daggers & Beauties (Acronictinae & Bryophilinae) (Species nos ABH 73.034 to 73.047, 73.082 to 73.085, B&F 2277 to 2295) Forewing length 10 22mm. Usually grey with black and white markings and with bright green in some species. Often with black dagger markings on wings. Well camouflaged against lichens, walls and rocks. Can be found in these habitats by day.beauties (Bryophilinae) are usually smaller. Sycamore Grey Dagger agg. Marbled Beauty No. of species: 18 Similar groups: other noctuids Sharks & Calophasia - Small Sharks (Cuculliinae & Oncocnemidinae) (Species nos ABH 73.050 to 73.061, B&F 2211 to 2224, 2394) Forewing length 13 26mm. Sharks Cucullinae; wings are held folded over the body in a steep roof-shape and thorax and head are crowned by a forward-pointing, shark-fin-like crest. Wings are also long, thin and pointed. Wings are streaked grey with black and white, but in some species are browner. In Oncocnemidinae, wings are shorter and crest shorter or not present. Anomalous holds wings more rolled round body and lacks the crest of the other species. Shark Toadflax Brocade Anomalous No. of species: 12 16

Five Small Sub-families of Medium to Large Noctuid Moths (Species nos ABH 73.062 to 73.081, B&F 2227 to 2228, 2243 to 2245, 2297to 2299, 2308 to 2310a, 2390, 2393, 2398 to 2405) Amphipyrinae Copper Underwings, Psaphidinae Sprawlers & allies, Heliothinae Straws & Clovers, Condicinae Reddish Buff & allies, Eriopinae Latins. Forewing length 9 26mm. Five small sub-familes of small to large sized noctuids. They hold their wings in a shallow roof-shape. Copper Underwings have copper-coloured hindwings and are very difficult to separate. The Sprawler group have a stocky build and are streaky grey brown. The Straws and Clovers are mottled yellowish to orangish coloured. The Reddish Buff and Latins are rarities unlikely to be seen. Copper Underwing agg. Sprawler Bordered Straw No. of species: 18 Similar groups: other noctuids Wainscots (Xyleninae, Hadeninae) (Species nos ABH 73.100, 73.134 to 73.152,73.288 to 73.306, B&F 2175, 2191 to 2209, 2344 to 2351, 2369 to 2379) Forewing length 7 24mm. These moths have similar wing patterns and colours but are from two different sub-families. All have pale brown or whitish wings streaked lighter or darker. Stigmata usually absent. Well camouflaged in their natural grassland and reed-bed habitats. Smoky Wainscot Common Wainscot Large Wainscot No. of species: 37 Similar groups: other noctuids 17

Brindles, Rustics, etc. (Xyleninae) (Species nos ABH 73.086 to 73.240, B&F 2097, 2097a, 2141, 2225 to 2396, but excluding Xyleninae Wainscots, Daggers etc which are covered above.) Forewing length 10 36mm. Group includes rustics, brocades, brindles, arches, minors, chestnuts, sallows etc. Wings are held folded over the body in a shallow roof-like fashion, sometimes with a slight overlap. Usually prominent reniform and orbicular stigmata on the forewings. Most are coloured grey or brown with detailed markings, but sallows also have yellow and orange markings. A large and diverse group that is difficult to split into smaller simpler groups. Sallow No. of species: 117 Clouded-bordered Brindle Rosy Rustic Similar groups: other noctuids, Hadeninae Brocades, Quakers, Shears etc. (Hadeninae) (Species nos ABH 73.241 to 73.288, B&F 2142 to 2191, but excluding Hadeninae Wainscots which are covered above) Forewing length 10 26mm. Wings are held folded over the body in a shallow rooflike fashion, sometimes with a slight overlap, like Xyleninae. This sub-family includes the spring-flying Orthosias and the shears etc that usually have prominent stigmata on the forewings. (Orthosia, Lacanobia, Hecatera, Hadena etc). Common Quaker Beautiful Brocade Pod Lover No. of species: 48 Similar groups: other noctuids, Xyleninae 18

Darts & Clays (Noctuinae) (Species nos ABH 73.307 to 73.368, B&F 2080 to 2140) Forewing length 12 29mm. Forewings usually long, narrow and square-ended with obvious stigmata. Wings folded flat over body, with one forewing partly covering the other, in pen-knife fashion. Heart and Dart Large Yellow Underwing Autumnal Rustic No. of species: 62 Similar groups: other noctuids Nolids (Nolidae) (Species nos ABH 74.001 to 74.012, B&F 2075 to 2079a, 2418 to 2423a) Forewing length 7 23mm. This family has four sub-families;: Nolinae (the true Nolids) - small, pale-coloured moths with small raised tufts on the forewings that can easily be mistaken for micro-moths, Chloephorinae - includes Green Silver-lines (green coloured & noctuidlike), Nycteolines - tortrix-like and brown with long palps Bollworms - mostly plain & green-coloured. They all come readily to light. Least Black Arches Green Silver-lines Oak Nycteoline No. of species: 14 Similar groups: some micro-moths Dave Grundy, DGCountryside & Norman Lowe, Enviro-Consulting 30/04/17 update for all text & photographs 15 19