1 Reply by Syrphus

  • Syrphus
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  • From: Strathpeffer, Highland
  • Registered: 16-12-2008
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Re: Horse[-]Chestnut

A posting on iSpot today (http://www.ispot.org.uk/node/174590) flagged up a problem with the tree and the moth both called 'Horse Chestnut'.

The dictionary reads 'Horse-chestnut' as being the tree Aesculus hippocastanum, but 'Horse Chestnut' as the moth Pachycnemia hippocastanaria.  This has resulted in a number of posts of the tree (without the hyphen) being identified as the moth.

Entry of a species record in R6 of 'Horse-chestnut' returns the tree, but 'Horse Chestnut' returns the moth - no option to select one or other.  Surely since the tree is widely referred to as 'Horse Chestnut' that English name should be included for the tree as well, just to avoid that confusion.

M.

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2 Reply by charliebarnes

  • charliebarnes
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  • From: Greater Lincolnshire
  • Registered: 07-09-2008
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Re: Horse[-]Chestnut

See http://forums.nbn.org.uk/viewtopic.php?id=1041 :)

Charlie Barnes
Information Officer
Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership

charliebarnes's Website

3 Reply by Syrphus

  • Syrphus
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Re: Horse[-]Chestnut

Thanks, Charlie.  Obviously an old problem, and two years on, one which really should have been fixed.

I never deal in English names in R6 myself, but a lot of folk seem to.  However, in sites like iSpot which use the dictionary, but for the inexperienced observer, clarity is essential.

M.

Syrphus's Website

4 Reply by charliebarnes

  • charliebarnes
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Re: Horse[-]Chestnut

Yes - and it's caught me out once or twice before - along with Redshank & Ammophila...

Charlie Barnes
Information Officer
Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership

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