Monday, 8 October 2012

Hungary - Miskolc Conistra species

I would like to establish which species of Conistra are present  a Bükk woodland-edge site in Miskolctapolca. I am only familiar with C. vaccinii from the UK. I am reasonably confident that there are breeding populations locally of C. vaccinii, C. rubiginea, C. rubiginosa and C. erythrocephala having encountered clear examples of these either in March or this autumn. But I have difficulty with a number of individuals which resemble C. vaccinii. This is a variable species. Many of my unidentified Conistra are either rather large, rather dark or/and more strongly marked than ones I have seen in the UK. One type which seems to be fairly abundant here is dark with a  pale band near the outer edge of the forewing (e.g. 14 below). Another is blackish, more plain looking but still with pale veins (e.g. 10, below). I think some might possibly be C. ligula and with some of the larger ones I have even wondered if they are not Conistra at all (but cannot find any other genus of őszibagoly that fits better). Unfortunately some of the most puzzling individuals are difficult to photograph because they are so dark and shiny.
These are a selection and any comments on their correct names would be very welcome.


1. 40W Actinic light 27/03/2012-28/03/2012 Conistra vaccinii
2. 40W Actinic light 06/10/2012-07/10/2012 - (for me) these 2 are typical Conistra vaccinii
3. 40W Actinic light 06/10/2012-07/10/2012 - ?vaccinii


4. 40W Actinic light 06/10/2012-07/10/2012 - ?vaccinii


5. 40W Actinic light 06/10/2012-07/10/2012 - 3. & 4.(above)


6. at Hedera helix flowers 29/09/2012. ?erythrocephala. large, FW 17-18mm

7. same moth as 5. above, with wings folded
8. at lit window 30/09/2012 ?ligula or vaccinii
9. found at Hedera helix flowers 29/09/2012 ?vaccinii
10. at Hedera helix flowers 29/10/2012. ligula or dark vaccinii?
11. found at Hedera helix flowers 29/09/2012. erythrocephala? large - forewing >17mm.

12. at Hedera helix flowers 30/09/2012. ligula or vaccinii?

13. at Hedera helix flowers 30/09/2012. vaccinii?
14. at Hedera helix flowers 30/09/2012. ligula?












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