Identification: Agonopterix heracliana can be similar to A. ciliella, A. cnicella and A. scopariella A. cnicella is confined to the sea shore, the larvae feeding on Eryngium maritimum. A. scopariella is less well marked than A. heracliana and can only be confused with poorly marked specimens. A. ciliella adult live moths can be reliably separated from A. heracliana on colour. A. ciliella has a pink or slightly purplish pink tinge. At a minimum this is on the underside of the hindwing cilia then on the hind leg hairs. This colour can extent over the whole moth. A. heracliana never has this colour. The number of lines in the hindwing cilia is not a reliable character as A. heracliana can also have 5 but they are less strong. A. ciliella is larger than A. heracliana and the markings are more strongly contrasting. More Info The difference between A. ciliella and A. heracliana are shown well in the Lepiforum link. Genitalia differences should only be used with a good prep and top quality microscope. The process on the valves in the male must be seen to be twisted in A. ciliella. The sigmoid shape can also be seen in A. ciliella but not as strongly as in A. heracliana. The difference in the female is in the shape of the pre and post ostium lamellae and not the signum which is variable. More Info

Recorded in 23 (40%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 2017. Last Recorded in 2025. Additional Stats

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