Species Account

Select species and region:

Distribution

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Local

Local Status: Scarce and local resident.

Local Record: Grade 3 See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation, Jun-Aug.

Forewing: 11-13mm.

Foodplant: Goose-foots and Oraches.

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	1885	1999	1885
Year last recorded	2011	2011	2011
Number of records	152	3	310
Number of individuals	156	3	318
Unique positions	47	3	100
Unique locations	39	3	84
Adult records	131	3	268
Immature records	0	0	0

For the region, we have a total of 310 records from 84 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1885.

Photos

Species Account

For further information refer UK Moths.

Davey, P., 2009: A frequent species across England, but very local in Wales, the larva feeding on the ripening seeds of goosefoot (Chenopodium spp.) and orache (Atriplex spp.). In Dorset, the moth is at low density and occurs most often in the vicinity of pebble beaches or muddy shores where orache and sea purslane (Atriplex portulacoides) grow, notably the Fleet, Portland Harbour and Poole Harbour. The species also occurs very locally inland in high-nutrient arable situations, possibly feeding on many-seeded goosefoot (Chenopdium polyspermum), fat hen (Chenopodium album) or spear-leaved orache (Atriplex prostrata).

Wide wings plus a smooth, pale ochreous colouration are diagnostic.

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