Species Account

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Distribution

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Migrant

Local Status: Scarce and mainly coastal migrant.

Local Record: Grade 3 See here for explanation

Flight time: Apr-Oct.

Forewing: 33-42mm.

Foodplant: Many plants. (Rosebay and willowherbs)

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	1949	1992	1949
Year last recorded	2011	2006	2011
Number of records	204	7	422
Number of individuals	242	7	498
Unique positions	52	4	112
Unique locations	43	4	94
Adult records	201	7	416
Immature records	0	0	0

For the region, we have a total of 422 records from 94 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1949.

Photos

Species Account

For further information refer UK Moths.

Davey, P., 2009: A strongly migratory species headquartered south of 35°N that appears infrequently in southern England and rarely elsewhere, the larva is polyphagous on herbaceous plants. The Striped Hawk does not appear to be able to survive the UK winter in any stage.

In Dorset, the moth is an irregular visitor that can appear at any time between February and September. Favoured years have included 1904, 1906, 1931, 1943, 1945, 1985, 1992, 1996, 2003 and 2006. Painted Lady butterflies often accompany Striped Hawks on migration, and a similar source is suspected for both species. Heavy winter rainfall in the usually arid regions of North Africa and associated increased plant growth and hence food sources, may promote increased populations of both species, but very specific weather conditions are also needed to bring it to the UK subsequently. A southerly or south-westerly weather pattern is usually established at the onset of influxes to Dorset. Striped Hawks seen in the second half of the year following earlier immigration may be indigenous, but continental sources are just as likely. Instances of migration witnessed both at destination and at source occurred in the spring of 1985 and in the winter of 2004; these involved both the Striped Hawk and the Painted Lady. A record of larvae found during a year when more than five hundred adults were recorded nationally follows: Sherborne, seven larvae on 6 July 1943 (A Harbottle).

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