Species Account

Select species and region:

Distribution

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Migrant

Local Status: Scarce and local migrant.

Local Record: Grade 3 See here for explanation

Flight time: Arrive May-Nov.

Forewing: 12-14mm.

Foodplant: Unknown.

IMPORTANT - Please note that the maps and accounts are provisional, subject to change and further update. The whole dataset still needs to go through the final verification process and it is likely that a very small number of records will not satisfy the present requirements and there are other records that have not been formally submitted. The information is for guidance only.

Record breakdown:

	VC9	VC11	Region
Year first recorded	1935	1987	1935
Year last recorded	2011	2011	2011
Number of records	498	25	1046
Number of individuals	718	31	1498
Unique positions	83	8	182
Unique locations	72	9	162
Adult records	492	25	1034
Immature records	0	0	0

For the region, we have a total of 1046 records from 162 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1935.

Photos

Species Account

For further information refer UK Moths.

Davey, P., 2009: A strongly migratory species with a global distribution (apart from Australasia) occurring annually across southern districts of England, the larval foodplant is unknown. Like the Vestal, this species does not seem to be able to survive the UK winter in any stage. The markings and light brown colouration of the adult male are in stark contrast to the much darker, purple-hued, female. In Dorset, the moth has been recorded in sixteen of the past twenty years. In favourable seasons, immigrants spawn up to two resident broods, and these are undoubtedly supplemented by further influxes from abroad whenever suitable weather conditions arise. Brood peaks double or treble in size with time. The moth has been recorded in twenty-four of the past twenty-seven years.

Two moths were trapped at light within an alder swamp at St Leonard's Peats on 6 July 1998 (P Davey), in a year when relatively large numbers of Gems were recorded. The locality contains much common marsh-bedstraw (Galium palustre) and fen bedstraw (Galium uliginosum), host plants for many 'Carpets'. There was no opportunity for immigration at the time of capture.

See background to species accounts. Index of Vernacular names - Search - Random Species