Species Account
Distribution
Summary Data
Season (Adult / Immature):
|
National Status: Common Local Status: Scarce and thinly distributed or restricted resident. Local Record: Grade 2 See here for explanation Flight time: One generation, Apr-May. Forewing: 19-24mm. Foodplant: Mullians, figworts and buddleias |
Record breakdown:
VC9 | VC11 | Region | |
---|---|---|---|
Year first recorded | 1939 | 1988 | 1939 |
Year last recorded | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 |
Number of records | 320 | 11 | 662 |
Number of individuals | 453 | 13 | 932 |
Unique positions | 82 | 3 | 170 |
Unique locations | 68 | 4 | 144 |
Adult records | 280 | 10 | 580 |
Immature records | 17 | 1 | 36 |
For the region, we have a total of 662 records from 144 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1939.
Photos
Species Account
For further information refer UK Moths.
Davey, P., 2009: A widespread species in southern Britain, the larva feeding on figwort (Scrophularia spp.), mullein (Verbascum spp.) and buddleia (Buddleia spp.). Although the moth is an infrequent visitor to light traps in Dorset, it is locally common on chalky soils where the highly visible larvae may be seen scything their way through the thick leaves of great mullein (Verascum thapsus). Occasionally, caterpillars are found on buddleia and, apart from Reverend E Bankes observation from Durlston in the previous account, there is just one other (old) record from Charmouth of larvae feeding on water figwort (Scrophularia aquatica). There are no records from sandy soils. The late dates below are of interest as both the Striped Lychnis2219 and the Water Betony2220 fly slightly later than this species; all three species are very difficult to tell apart. The first example was trapped in a very late season following the severe winter of 1962/1963: Iwerne Minster, on 1 July 1963 (H Moore), West Bexington, on 19 June 1995, 18 June 1996, 4 July 2001(R Eden).
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