70.038 BF1716 - The Vestal - Geometridae - Rhodometra sacraria

70.038 BF1716 - Geometridae - Rhodometra sacraria - The Vestal

Adult Macro: CAT 1 - Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others -

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Significant Record / Very Rare / Vagrant - Migrant

Taxonomy: Macro >> Geometridae

ID Difficulty: green

- easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.

ID pointers: A distinctive triangular shaped, delicate looking moth. Cream wings with a prominent diagonal cross-line of crimson running across the forewing. Can be quiet variable in colour, the higher intensity of crimson in the wing indicates the moth has migrated from a warm climate.

Distribution: (First record: 1973 ) - (Last record: 2023 ) - Last recorded in September 2023. A rare immigrant to Derbyshire. This specimen, trapped in Sept 2006 during a good migrant year, was the first since 1983. Usually arrives during the autumn months. The first county record was 1973. During 2019 – 2023 a total of seven were reported.

Flight Period: August / September / - Usually trapped during August – September.

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

Forewing: 12-14mm

Food Plant: Knotgrass

Last Recorded Year: 2023

Last Recorded By: Not Recorded

Last Recorded General Area: Not Recorded

First Recorded Year: 1973

IMAGES BELOW: Melbourne – Images by Tony Davison©