Species Account
Distribution
Summary Data
Season (Adult / Immature):
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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. |
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).
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