73.087 BF2385 - Small Mottled Willow - Noctuidae - Spodoptera exigua

73.087 BF2385 - Noctuidae - Xyleninae - Spodoptera exigua - Small Mottled Willow

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 >> Noctuidae

ID Difficulty: green

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

ID pointers: Has a distinctive resting posture with its narrow forewings wrapped around its body. The ground colour is a dull grey-brown with a prominent orange oval and kidney marks.

Distribution: (First record: 1988 ) - (Last record: 07/09/2024 at Darley Bridge ) - A scarce immigrant to Derbyshire. These particular specimens were trapped during August 2003 and possibly only one previous record (1988). One recorded on 7th September 2024 at Darley Bridge, during a time of high migrant moth activity on the east coast of England.

Flight Period: June / July / August / September / October / - On the wing June – October.

Moth Activity: Nocturnal

Wingspan: 26-32mm
Forewing: 13-14mm

Food Plant: Low-lying vegetation.

Last Recorded Date: 07/09/2024

Last Recorded By: Stephen Moores

Last Recorded General Area: Darley Bridge

First Recorded Year: 1988

IMAGES BELOW: Darley Bridge 1st Sept 2024 – Stephen Moores© / Melbourne & Kings Newton, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©