73.297 BF2194 - White-point - Noctuidae - Mythimna albipuncta

73.297 BF2194 - Noctuidae - Hadeninae - Mythimna albipuncta - White-point

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: The Clay

ID pointers: The confusion species is The Clay, and care needs to be taken in the ID process. A reliable ID indicator is the short and broader wing shape, and a more smaller, stout appearance than The Clay. Varying upper-wing colour of rufous, reddish-brown, or yellowish-brown and on each forewing there is a diagnostic pure white, roughly circular, spot that gives the moth its name of “White-point”. The Clay is only single brooded, late June-early August, and rarely seen beyond mid-August, whereas White-point is double-brooded, flying from May – early June and again Mid-August – October.

Distribution: (First record: 15/09/2015 at Belper ) - (Last record: 20/09/2024 at Melbourne ) - A new first record date for White-point has materialised from some past record data. Dave Evans recorded one at Belper on 20th September 2015, making this the first one recorded for the VC57 and Derbyshire. Then the next record of White-point for VC57 was at The Mead, Shipley CP, when two were light trapped during a Moth Trap event on 13th July 2019 by Darren Clarke. The third record came from Hathersage, on 22 Oct 2022, recorded by the late Claire Miles. At the time it was thought to be the first county record and Claire was sure it was a White-point, but decided to obtain further confirmation from Jean Haxaire and Martin Honey on the Moth Dissection FB group. A fourth record was taken on 26th August 2023 at High Leas, near Matlock, during a field moth trapping session. Possible range expansion, as numbers turning up in Lincs, Leics and Notts. Several more recorded in 2023 and 2024 including one in my garden trap, Melbourne September 10th 2023 and 2 on 20th September 2024.

Flight Period: August / September / October / - For many years described as an immigrant to the British Isles, mainly occurring in the south and south-east of England, during late August to October. By 2017 its range as a resident in Britain had extended into central southern England and the status of the species was rapidly changing. By August 2021 the species was being recorded more regularly from counties surrounding Derbyshire. It seems that the White-point is gradually extending its range into our county.

Moth Activity: Nocturnal

Wingspan: 30-35mm
Forewing: 14-17mm

Food Plant: Various grasses.

Last Recorded Date: 20/09/2024

Last Recorded By: Tony Davison

Last Recorded General Area: Melbourne

First Recorded Date: 15/09/2015

IMAGES BELOW: Melbourne – September 20th 2-24 – Tony Davison / Chaddesden – Sept 2024 – Martin Roome / Melbourne – Sept 2023 – Tony Davison© / Hathersage – the late Claire Miles© – 22/10/22 – Hathersage, Derbyshire / Steve Thorpe© – High Leas 26/8/23