73.053 BF2214 - Chamomile Shark - Noctuidae - Cucullia chamomillae

73.053 BF2214 - Noctuidae - Cucullinae - Cucullia chamomillae - Chamomile Shark

Adult Macro: CAT 2 - Can be confused with other species -

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Rare / Uncommon / Scarce

Taxonomy: Macro >> Noctuidae

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species: Shark

ID pointers: Like other members of the Shark family, it rests with wings closed against the body and has a distinctive “Punk-Like” hair-cut above the head. Looks very much like a sharks dorsal fin, hence the name “Shark”. The ground colour is a grey-brown with many dark and pale veins running towards the trailing edge of the wing, extending into the wing fringes.

Distribution: (Last record: 27/03/2023 at Belper ) - A resident that is generally uncommon but widely distributed in Derbyshire. Only recorded in small numbers each year and usually from the southern lowland areas of the county.

Flight Period: April / May / June / - On the wing April – June

Moth Activity: Nocturnal

Wingspan: 40-42mm
Forewing: 19-23mm

Food Plant: Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).

Last Recorded Date: 27/03/2023

Last Recorded By: Dave Evans

Last Recorded General Area: Belper

No First Date Information Recorded

Chamomile Shark – Noctuidae – Cucullia chamomillae