I realised a week or so ago that many people may not know what I’m talking about when I describe moth characteristics. A person who largely identifies birds, say, may not know what a reniform spot is on a moth. I made up this little visual guide to the most frequently used moth characteristics. It does not include genitalia.
31 Likes
apart from the typo on antemedial line… a good summation of characters :)
3 Likes
Looks very useful!
Thanks for the upload - will hopefully help me when I try to identify moths ;).
1 Like
Very nice!
Perhaps you could upload that picture into an iNat journal post (with or without accompanying text), so people could refer to it there as well.
1 Like
Ooops, missed that! I will try to correct it.
1 Like
I did post it in my journal - https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/mamestraconfigurata. Although it does not look like your example. Any advice on how to make more of an impact on the journal? Thought it would also benefit being added here.
2 Likes
Fixed it - I believe. Between Windows Paint and basic text, it took me this long!
1 Like
I think your journal post looks great. :D
2 Likes
Thank you! I just want it to be used!
1 Like
I just realised why the link was somewhat incorrect - here it is again. https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/mamestraconfigurata/28714-moth-wing-features
2 Likes
Ahem newbie here. Is there a way to bookmark the journal entry somehow - apart from bookmarking this post of course…
Thanks!
Ps- amazing job. I’ll check if your journal also includes tips for IDs ;)
3 Likes
I really don’t know. I could put a reference into every new ID, but that seems a little self serving and degrading to those who know what the markings are. I have been thinking about writing some ID tips, but none on there now. One of them would be a rough guide to identifying beaten up moths. Actually, I’ll get on that now!
2 Likes
I’ve added two more identification guides to my journal (using the Smithsonian open access images) - Mythimna unipuncta & Agrotis ipsilon.
Both are common in North America, both tend to be improperly identified, and both are hard to describe.
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/mamestraconfigurata/31182-mythimna-unipuncta-features
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/mamestraconfigurata/31191-agrotis-ipsilon-features
2 Likes
I realised I didn’t really answer your question - I suppose if you went to the journal post and added it to favorites? I’m using a windows based PC, and don’t know how things work on other platforms.
1 Like
Ooooh, this is helpful. I’ve printed it out and posted it over my desk so that as mothing season starts, I can refer to it on a regular basis. I knew the spot names and a few of the others but not all of them. Thank you for sharing this!
2 Likes
Another one, Feltia jaculifera.
https://inaturalist.ca/journal/mamestraconfigurata/31746-feltia-jaculifera-features
This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.