Moth ID please

[Chris Jackson]

Hello,
A colleague in France would like an ID for this moth please.
Any ideas ?

Cheers, Chris

[Matsukaze]

Could be the Mother-of-Pearl, Pleuroptya ruralis, or one of the fairly closely related Anania species.

[Chris Jackson]

Thanks for your reply Matsukaze,
That'll have to be the basis for further research.
I've just received today my copy of "Guide des papillons nocturnes de France", with 1,620 moth species illustrated. It looks so complicated.
Finally, butterflies are a piece of cake. Only 236 species in mainland France and basically 5 families.
I've flicked through my new moth guide but I hardly know where to begin. I suppose when I started butterflies 6 years ago it was as daunting as this, although I've forgotten that feeling now.
Something to read over the winter I suppose.
Cheers, Chris

[Padfield]

It's a good book, especially if used in conjunction with the internet and perhaps the Lewington (Lewington-illustrated, that is) guide to UK moths - set specimens don't give any clues as to what a moth really looks like with its wings folded &c. But it's only macros, so mother-of-pearl isn't in it!

Guy

[Chris Jackson]

Hi Guy,
Which moth guide should I get for France ?
I need a guide that has the most common species in it.
I know Patrice Leraut has published a 3 volume collection, but that costs 3 x 80,00 Euro at least.
Which book would you recommend covering a wide base in France (+ possibly neighbouring countries), but filtering out the wider Europe ?

For example, although the butterfly photos in T. Lafranchis' "Papillons de France" are quite basic, he has done a good job of filtering and has dumbed it down to make a digestable field guide for the up and coming butterflying enthusiast.
I need this, but for moths - perfection will wait.

Thanks,
Chris

[Padfield]

Hi Chris. I'm far from an expert on moths so I should wait for advice from others if I were you. But I find the book you have very useful. The trick is, as you imply, to know where to start. The arbitary distinction between macros and micros doesn't help, as some micros are bigger than some macros and you could end up searching through page by page for something that isn't even in there. But with just a little experience you will reduce wasted time. If you know you are dealing with a geometer or a notodontid &c. you will quickly home in on the right species.

The Leraut series is excellent, though as you say, expensive. It is also five volumes, not three! Four have been published, of which the last two deal with micros (pyralids). The second volume covers the Geometridae and I presume (hope) the fifth volume will cover the Noctuids.

As for something with narrower scope, have you got the two Lewington-illustrated UK books (one macros, one micros)? They are really good and by showing moths in natural positions will help you to place most French species to family at least, if not to genus or sometimes species. When I find a moth I can't identify at all, this is where I go first.

Guy

[Chris Jackson]

... have you got the two Lewington-illustrated UK books (one macros, one micros)? ....
Guy

Thanks Guy,
I'll check that out. However, if you know the titles of the books you have in mind, that would put me on the right track.
Cheers, Chris

[Padfield]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Field-Guide-Mo ... b_title_bk

and

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Field-Guide-Mi ... nd+Ireland

Guy

[Chris Jackson]

Thanks Guy,
I'll ask Father Christmas for these
Chris