Ethmia quadrillella
33.002 BF719  – Comfrey Ermine  – Ethmia quadrillella  – (Goeze, 1783)
Adult Micro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –      
PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce        day-flying – Day-flying
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Ethmiidae  >> Ethmiinae
Other Name/s: Comfrey Ermel, Ethmia funerella
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
ID pointers: A very distinctive little black and white moth.
Distribution:  (Last record: 16 September 2024 at Buxton )  –  Classified nationally as very local. Harrison & Sterling (1988) recorded as “Found in most of the dales and the north west of the county on Comfrey”. Current Derbyshire widespread but localised
General Comment: None
Flight Period: May /  June /  July –  On the wing during the day in May – July. Moth Activity: Diurnal   – but often seen by day Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Rowan Wakefield  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 15-19mm
Food Plant: Comfrey
Last Recorded Year: 2024
Last Recorded By – Steve Orridge
Last Recorded General Area – Buxton

Selected Images:  Buxton, Derbyshire – Rowan Wakefield ©

 
 


Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1967 - 2025)  |  Immatures: (between 1997 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
This chart summarises all available historical occurrence records collated by ISO week of the year. It reflects recorder effort and sampling distribution as well as true biological activity, and should be interpreted as an indicative pattern of seasonal occurrence rather than a statistically controlled abundance or phenology model.

 

Distribution Map for Ethmia quadrillella

Found 155 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 95 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 60 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

If the Map Layers function fails, just refresh the page and it should be OK after. Use the +- zoom on the top left, or on a tablet, use two fingers to zoom. Remember, the last layer you ticked is the one which displays the popup information - they sit on top of each other - de-select then re-select, to see the popup values.

Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Ethmia quadrillella

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Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however, the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.

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Monthly Records By Year: Ethmia quadrillella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Ethmia quadrillella
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )

First/Last Recorded Dates: Ethmia quadrillella
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required

Recordings By Year: Ethmia quadrillella
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Ethmia quadrillella
AGR: 6.94%   |   Total % Change: 282.4%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Ethmia quadrillella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Ethmia quadrillella

Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2026.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Ethmia quadrillella – 155 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site Name Tetrad Date Count Stage Recorder Source RecordKey
Belper, Derbyshire SK34N 07/08/2025 1 adult Newcombe, Dave vc57_irecords_extract iBRC44353881
upper cromford garden SK25Y 18/07/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC43616054
upper cromford garden SK25Y 11/07/2025 2 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC43358962
upper cromford garden SK25Y 10/07/2025 3 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC43285738
Duffield Millennium Nature Reserve SK34L 09/07/2025 1 larva Downes, Nigel vc57_irecords_extract iBRC43770063
upper cromford garden SK25Y 30/06/2025 5 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42882913
Harpur Hill SK07Q 28/06/2025 1 Adult starnosemole vc57_irecords_extract iBRC44922016
Darley Bridge SK26Q 28/06/2025 1 Adult Moores, Stephen vc57_irecords_extract iBRC44922022
upper cromford garden SK25Y 25/06/2025 10 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42672616
Darley Bridge SK26Q 25/06/2025 1 Adult Moores, Stephen vc57_irecords_extract iBRC44922020
upper cromford garden SK25Y 24/06/2025 20 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42672121
upper cromford garden SK25Y 23/06/2025 2 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42592405
Cote Heath Allotments, Buxton SK07R 21/06/2025 6 adult Steven Bell vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42549872
Ladycroft Ave, Buxton SK07S 21/06/2025 2 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42581825
upper cromford garden SK25Y 21/06/2025 25 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42550581
High Leas Farm SK35D 21/06/2025 1 adult Thorpe, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48391011
upper cromford garden SK25Y 20/06/2025 30 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42503762
Froggatt SK27N 20/06/2025 2 adult Barnacle, Bryan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42527429
Ladycroft Ave, Buxton SK07S 19/06/2025 2 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42579805
upper cromford garden SK25Y 19/06/2025 22 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42502612
upper cromford garden SK25Y 18/06/2025 2 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42442355
upper cromford garden SK25Y 17/06/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42418741
Granby Road Park, Fairfield SK07R 16/06/2025 1 Adult Mortin, Jon vc57_irecords_extract iBRC44922010
upper cromford garden SK25Y 14/06/2025 2 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42309800
Froggatt, Hope Valley SK27N 14/06/2025 1 adult Barnacle, Bryan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42303578
upper cromford garden SK25Y 13/06/2025 8 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42289496
Cromford Canal SK35G 13/06/2025 1 adult Evans, Dave vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42267889
upper cromford garden SK25Y 12/06/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42263449
upper cromford garden SK25Y 11/06/2025 7 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42237406
DWT Wyver Lane SK34P 10/06/2025 1 adult Evans, Dave vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42186773
Gang Mine, Cromford SK25X 09/06/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42153709
upper cromford garden SK25Y 08/06/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42153579
upper cromford garden SK25Y 03/06/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42057255
upper cromford garden SK25Y 02/06/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42023578
Froggatt SK27N 01/06/2025 1 adult Barnacle, Bryan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42008504
upper cromford garden SK25Y 31/05/2025 2 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41994403
Shallcross Avenue, Whaley Bridge SK07E 30/05/2025 1 Adult Pat FW vc57_irecords_extract iBRC44921642
Kirk Ireton, Derbyshire SK25Q 30/05/2025 1 adult Cath Sinclair vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41934610
upper cromford garden SK25Y 29/05/2025 10 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41943126
upper cromford garden SK25Y 28/05/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41919640
upper cromford garden SK25Y 27/05/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41891511
Cote Heath Allotments, Buxton SK07R 23/05/2025 1 adult Steven Bell vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41769733
upper cromford garden SK25Y 23/05/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41789414
High Peak Junction, Cromford SK35D 21/05/2025 1 adult Mahadevan, Nikki vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41730445
upper cromford garden SK25Y 20/05/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41733011
Bakewell: bank of River Wye SK26I 20/05/2025 2 adult Harvey, Martin C. vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41755810
Station Road Upper Padley Grindleford SK27P 19/05/2025 1 adult S Pugh vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45332694
Chee Dale, Station Quarry SK17G 17/05/2025 1 adult Hewitt, Jane vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48232872
Froggatt, Hope Valley SK27N 17/05/2025 1 adult Barnacle, Bryan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41653670
upper cromford garden SK25Y 12/05/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41552960
Geo Siddall (Transport) Ltd, Bridge Garage, Matlock DEJY, UK SK26Q 07/05/2025 1 Adult Moores, Stephen vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41419454
Geo Siddall (Transport) Ltd, Bridge Garage, Matlock DEJY, UK SK26Q 03/05/2025 1 Adult Moores, Stephen vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41402324
Waterswallows, Buxton SK07X 16/09/2024 1 Larva Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC39276098
upper cromford garden SK25Y 02/08/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC37633872
White Knowle Road, Buxton SK07R 01/08/2024 2 adult Mortin, Jon vc57_irecords_extract iBRC37590961
White Knowle Road, Buxton SK07R 31/07/2024 1 Adult Mortin, Jon vc57_irecords_extract iBRC38853082
upper cromford garden SK25Y 31/07/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC37588794
Lower Cromford Garden SK25Y 31/07/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC37589005
upper cromford garden SK25Y 29/07/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC37484594
upper cromford garden SK25Y 25/07/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC37484180
upper cromford garden SK25Y 23/07/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC37306000
upper cromford garden SK25Y 18/07/2024 3 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC37193690
upper cromford garden SK25Y 17/07/2024 2 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC37141630
Cote Heath Allotments, Buxton SK07R 13/07/2024 1 adult Steven Bell vc57_irecords_extract iBRC40548662
upper cromford garden SK25Y 09/07/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36939762
upper cromford garden SK25Y 08/07/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36925783
upper cromford garden SK25Y 29/06/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36751092
upper cromford garden SK25Y 28/06/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36715559
Shallcross Avenue, Whaley Bridge SK07E 27/06/2024 1 Adult Pat FW vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36730858
upper cromford garden SK25Y 26/06/2024 23 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36695824
upper cromford garden SK25Y 25/06/2024 4 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36668028
upper cromford garden SK25Y 24/06/2024 2 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36666991
upper cromford garden SK25Y 23/06/2024 10 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36641865
Lower Cromford Garden SK25Y 23/06/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36642121
Froggatt, Hope Valley SK27N 22/06/2024 1 adult Barnacle, Bryan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC38646472
upper cromford garden SK25Y 21/06/2024 2 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36573038
Ladycroft Ave, Buxton SK07S 20/06/2024 1 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC37484308
upper cromford garden SK25Y 20/06/2024 2 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36556398
Lightwood Road, Buxton SK, UK SK07M 19/06/2024 1 Adult MarkCocker vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36558426
Cunningdale - S SK07R 18/06/2024 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36499100
Buxton SK07R 18/06/2024 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36806772
Froggatt, Hope Valley SK27N 17/06/2024 3 adult Barnacle, Bryan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC38635041
Cote Heath Allotments, Buxton SK07R 16/06/2024 1 adult Steven Bell vc57_irecords_extract iBRC40548487
Taddington SK17K 16/06/2024 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36806774
upper cromford garden SK25Y 16/06/2024 2 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36482704
Elnor Lane Whaley Bridge SK08A 13/06/2024 1 adult A.Seymour vc57_irecords_extract iBRC39767759
Chapel-en-le-Frith SK08Q 31/05/2024 1 Adult Emma vc57_irecords_extract iBRC44921993
Geo Siddall (Transport) Ltd, Bridge Garage, Matlock DEJY, UK SK26Q 18/05/2024 1 Adult Moores, Stephen vc57_irecords_extract iBRC35973373
Woodland Ave SK43R 17/05/2024 1 adult Thorpe, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC40044445
Middleton by Wirksworth SK25T 08/07/2023 1 adult Dinsdale, Kay vc57_irecords_extract iBRC31450412
Ferneydale Avenue SK07Q 16/06/2022 1 adult Wakefield, Rowan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC34940221
Delu SK25T 10/06/2021 1 adult Dinsdale, Kay vc57_irecords_extract iBRC20641487
Buxton SK, UK SK07S 25/06/2020 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC22320014
Ladycroft Ave, Buxton SK07S 24/06/2020 1 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC35095369
Ladycroft Ave, Buxton SK07S 15/06/2020 1 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC35095169
Ladycroft Ave, Buxton SK07S 16/07/2019 1 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC35097137
Monsal Dale SK17Q 19/05/2019 1 adult Routledge, Stephen vc57_irecords_extract iBRC10180161
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 20/08/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45741434
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 15/08/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45741543
Bradford Dale SK26B 13/08/2018 1 Larva Harvey, Martin C. vc57_irecords_extract iBRC8767415
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 12/08/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45745100
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 08/08/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45745148
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 07/08/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45745198
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 31/07/2018 2 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45745320
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 29/07/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45745420
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 27/07/2018 2 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45745523
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 22/07/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45745998
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 21/07/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45746146
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 20/07/2018 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45746166
Jim Mart Nature Reserve SK36S 28/05/2018 1 adult Mahadevan, Nikki vc57_irecords_extract iBRC34917403
Clough Wood (Darley Bridge) - S SK26K 27/05/2018 1 Adult Faulkner, Peter vc57_irecords_extract iBRC6842357
Ladycroft Ave SK07S 02/08/2016 1 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41051926
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 12/08/2015 2 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45698884
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 08/08/2015 4 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45684835
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 07/08/2015 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45698977
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 06/08/2015 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45684704
DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE SK37J 03/08/2015 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45701265
Ladycroft Ave SK07S 10/07/2015 2 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48845173
Ladycroft Ave SK07S 30/06/2015 6 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC48845746
Ladycroft Ave SK07S 18/06/2014 1 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC41012923
Millennium Meadow NR, Duffield SK34L 18/05/2014 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP0FR
Millennium Meadow NR, Duffield SK34L 14/05/2014 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP0F9
The Hollies,Holly St,Stapenhill,Burton on Trent SK22K 09/08/2013 1 Adult P. Patrick vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP9AU
Ladycroft Ave SK07S 16/07/2013 1 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC40990990
Ladycroft Ave SK07S 09/07/2013 1 adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC40990850
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 05/07/2013 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP8WB
Millennium Meadow NR, Duffield SK34L 14/06/2013 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP8UD
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 27/06/2012 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001COY4A
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt SK27N 27/06/2012 1 Adult Barnacle, Brian vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001COY4E
Dronfield Woodhouse SK37J 06/08/2011 1 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45403458
Dronfield Woodhouse SK37J 05/08/2011 2 adult Williamson, Andy vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45403466
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 26/06/2011 2 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP72A
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 14/06/2011 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP6Z6
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 30/06/2010 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001COX4P
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 24/06/2010 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP5I7
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 05/06/2010 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001COT3N
Hardhurst Rd, Alvaston, Derby SK33W 23/05/2010 1 Adult I. Gardler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP073
Buxton SK, UK SK07S 28/06/2009 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC23054186
Allestree, Derby SK34K 29/05/2009 1 adult Plant, Stephen vc57_irecords_extract iBRC34363247
Allestree, Derby SK34K 29/05/2009 1 adult Plant, Stephen vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36299141
Buxton SK, UK SK07S 09/06/2007 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC22503451
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 01/07/2006 1 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP33N
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 17/06/2006 2 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001COVXO
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 16/06/2006 2 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP2YA
Ladycroft Ave,Buxton SK07S 10/06/2006 4 Adult Orridge, Steve vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP2XZ
Church St,Holloway,Matlock SK35I 01/07/2005 1 Adult F. Harrison vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP2JZ
Holloway, Matlock SK35I 18/06/1999 1 Adult F. Harrison vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001COVFC
Clough Wood,Darley Dale SK26K 16/07/1997 24 Larvae VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001COQXH
Clough Wood,Darley Dale SK26K 15/06/1984 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001COQEZ
Lathkill Dale (nr waterfall), Bakewell SK16X 14/06/1972 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP9UO
Hell Bank Plantation, Beeley Moor SK26Y 14/06/1972 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP9UP
Highpeak Junction, Cromford, Matlock SK35C 14/06/1972 1 Adult F. Harrison vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP9UQ
Milton, Ashover (site not precise) SK36K 14/06/1972 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP9UR
Lea Bridge, Matlock SK35D 12/06/1971 1 Adult F. Harrison vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001COZJB
Lathkill Dale (site not precise), Bakewell SK16S 18/06/1967 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001CP0JD

 
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