Tuesday 11 April 2017

Moth Identification Using Google Images

Not for the first time when trying to identify something I used the Google search where you can upload a photo and Google will try to find similar images.

Use Google search as normal, enter your search words and start the search. Once the results have loaded choose Images and a camera icon appears in the search bar:

 Screenshot (2017-4-10 6.28.59 pm)

Clicking on the camera allows you to upload a photo or give a URL with the photo you are trying to identify. Once loaded scroll down a bit and click on 'Visually similar images'.

 Screenshot (2017-4-10 6.24.56 pm)

If you are lucky you may be able to scroll through those and find what you want. I say 'if you are lucky' as it is far from perfect and has only worked occasionally for me. Also not all images are named.

I was trying to identify this moth I spotted on Sunday:

DSCN7197    DSCN7195

As luck would have it there was one shown which looked very similar so I think there is a good possibility this is a Poplar Grey moth (Subacronicta megacephala)

Not my month for getting identification correct. Many thanks to Ragged Robin of Ragged Robin's Nature Notes  for pointing out this is an Early Grey not a Poplar Grey Moth.


3 comments:

  1. I might be wrong John but it looks more like an Early Grey to me. I do moth trapping at home and will try and leave a few links on moth id. The first is Hants Moths Flying tonight - don't worry about not living in Hampshire I don't either. Early Grey is the 3rd species down. http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/flying_tonight.php - apologies you may have to copy and paste! UK Moths is another useful site https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/. Hope you don't mind me sending the links and find them useful.

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    Replies
    1. RR: Many thanks for that. Always appreciate help from those better informed than me. I had a look and am sure you are correct. I always find it difficult when several moths seem to have similar markings.
      Don't think I will ever try moth trapping, not with my moth phobia. OK outside if they are not too big and resting peacefully but if moving or indoors you wouldn't see me for dust. It's only in the past couple of years I can even look at pictures of some without going cold all over.

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    2. Thanks John. Moth id is hard (in the main I leave the tiny micro moths well alone!!) so many similar species and I have made a lot of mistakes with id in my time!!!
      You do get a lot of moths all over you when trapping especially in the summer when you can catch loads and the Large Yellow Underwings are about - I shudder at times!

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Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Any comment, or correction to any information or identification I get wrong, is most welcome. John

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