The Plain Wave is very similar to the much commoner Riband Wave. I check all the Riband Waves I catch in the garden and have never recorded Plain Wave with any certainty but last night I caught this individual which lacks the indentation on the the leading edge of Riband Wave which is so characteristic of that species. I've overlain a Riband Wave against half of the Plain Wave to show the difference. Nationally the Plain Wave is described as local and thinly distributed which is probably a fair description of its status in Derbyshire.
That's one of the benefits of taking photos, you can always go back and check your id. I don't think the Plain Wave is rare as such but is probably overlooked. Good luck.
Very interesting Andy - I must check my old pics to see if I missed any. It's easy to get blasé about the dear old Riband Wave!
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the benefits of taking photos, you can always go back and check your id. I don't think the Plain Wave is rare as such but is probably overlooked. Good luck.
ReplyDelete