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Scopariinae - Scoparias and Eudonias

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The Scopariinae sub-family contains a number of common moths which are difficult or impossible to tell apart from photographs.

If you have a moth which exhibits all of the characters shown for a species then it probably is that species.

For explanation of terminal and sub-terminal cross-lines see wing diagrams

Often has areas of ochre background colour (yellow-brown) on the forewing as well as the normal black and white markings.
This test usually distinguishes it from other species.

Scoparia ambigualis

The white terminal line and the white sub-terminal line curve towards each other to meet and form an X shape.

Some other species also have this character.

Eudonia truncicolella

Usually a clear black and white with a white or off-white background.
This is the only one of the characters listed here which usually differentiates it from Scoparia ambigualis

Where the sub-terminal cross-line comes from the leading edge of the forewing it slopes to point towards the outer edge of the wing.

Dipleurina lacustrata

An area near the middle of the forewing is pale or white.

Eudonia mercurella

The sub-terminal cross-line is smoothly curved near the leading edge and the curve is not interrupted by the join in the wings.

Eudonia angustea

The forewings are narrow and pointed making it much narrower than the other Scopariinae species.

It often rests with one wing nearly covering the other - making it appear even narrower.

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