Species Account

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Distribution

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Local

Local Status: Scarce and local resident.

Local Record: Grade 2 See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation, Apr-Jun.

Forewing: 19-23mm.

Foodplant: Scentless Mayweed, chamomiles and Feverfew.

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	1927	1986	1927
Year last recorded	2011	2002	2011
Number of records	88	13	202
Number of individuals	100	30	260
Unique positions	25	4	58
Unique locations	23	3	52
Adult records	82	13	190
Immature records	1	0	2

For the region, we have a total of 202 records from 52 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1927.

Photos

Species Account

Similar species: 2216 Shark. For further information refer UK Moths.

Davey, P., 2009: A widespread species in south-east and central England, local elsewhere in England and in Wales with a preference for coastal habitats, the larva feeding on the flowers and seeds of chamomiles (Chamaemelum nobile and Anthemis spp.) and mayweeds (Matricaria spp. and Tripleurospermum spp.). In Dorset, the moth is at low density on the coast including Portland where sea mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum) is a known foodplant. Elsewhere, the moth is noted occasionally from localities where pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea) grows on toxin-free farm tracks and where the much-declined chamomile plant hangs on still on grazed heaths and commons. Larval populations suffer from a high mortality rate due to parasitism. Historic larval records from Purbeck follow: Norden, four larvae on the leaves of scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum) growing among the clay works on 22 June 1900, Corfe Castle, two larvae on the leaves of scentless mayweed growing in the disused clay works on 2 July 1900, Swanage, larva on the leaves of scentless mayweed growing near the water tower on 2 July 1900, Studland, six larvae on the leaves of sea mayweed growing on shingle near the Red Rocks on 15 June 1896 (Reverend E Bankes).

The moth is very similar to Shark²²¹⁶. Diagnostics include: the fringe of the hindwing is bisected by a dark line, this line is absent in Shark; April and early May 'Sharks' will most likely be this species.

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