Varied Birch Roller Epinotia solandriana

Formerly given the vernacular name Variable Bell.

I was fairly confident about this moth's identification from its external appearance as I've not managed to find any other species that look similar. The shape of the pale dorsal blotch appears to rule out any similar forms of brunnichana. Examination of the genitalia seemed like a good idea to remove any doubt, although I'm not sure this really helped a hugh amount. Differences in female genitalia are rather slight, and some of the characters detailed in some sources do not appear to be consistent - for example that the signa on solandriana should be at the same level does not appear to be consistent . Clive Lewis at British Lepidoptera argues that this depends on the orientation of the corpus bursae, but as Chris says, this is not always easy to determine. I don't think honestly think I could confirm mine as solandriana on this character as at any orientation one signum is clearly higher than the other. The shape of the ostium is perhaps more useful, being wider and flatter-topped on soladriana compared to brunnichana. On mine the ductus bursae became detached from the ostium during preparation but I don't think this has significantly affected the overall shape of the ostium which seems a better match for solandriana than brunnichana.

female Varied Birch Roller Epinotia solandriana showing genitalia, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 14th July 2025