Erebidae : Arctiinae
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Photo © Neil Sherman,  Flushed by day, one of 6 found. Shingle Street 29/10/2022

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Immature stages

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Similar Suffolk Species: None
 
Crimson Speckled
Utetheisa pulchella

(Linnaeus, 1758) 2054 / 72.034

Morley's Final Catalogue: Immigrant, isolated specimens have occurred somewhat regularly. Rougham and Finborough Park (Naturalist 1858); Ipswich (Entom. v, 412); Aldeburgh in October 1876 (EMM. 1876, 138); one at Bawdsey cliff on 25 May 1885 (Entom. 1886, 127); Felixstowe on 10 June 1892 (l.c.,xxv,191); Ipswich, three in September 1871; Foxhall Heath and Rickinghall (ante 1890). Sudbury in May 1898(Ransom); [not taken by Nurse near Bury in 1913, as reported: teste Nurse, in lit.;] a specimen at Aldeburgh in 1922 (Trans. ii, 86).

Recent Suffolk Status: A rare immigrant from North Africa and the Mediterranean with five county records up until 2022. There are three records from light-traps: Dunwich Heath on 14.10.2011 (C. Moore), Bawdsey Hall on 03.10.2013 (M.J. Deans) and Lowestoft on 15.10.2018 (A. Wren).
There is a further record of one disturbed from rough grassland at Hazelwood Common, near Aldeburgh on 16.10.2018 (J.H. Grant) - the more traditional way of finding this species, which accounted for most of the early records. The other record was a moth seen on flowers at the Suffolk Punch Trust, Hollesley on 12.09.2021 (A. Carpenter).

In late October/early November 2022 there was an unprecedented influx into the UK with large numbers of moths noted. Suffolk produced 35 records of 44 moths, the vast majority of which were daytime observations. The highest number recorded by this method was the 6 seen at Shingle Street on 29.10.2022 (J. Chainey, J. Spence, N. Sherman, M. J. Deans, P. Bryant). There were fewer light trap records and most moths stayed close to the coast with hardly any inland sightings.
Not seen again in Suffolk until 17.10.2024, when one was seen in the daytime on Orfordness (M. Marsh).

Life history: Multi-brooded in its home range. Suffolk records mainly in late autumn.

Identification: Unmistakable.

Habitat: Coastal grassland and waste ground.

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 15 (26%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1858.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats

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Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
17/10/2024125TM45 - Aldeburgh/Orford
14/11/2022225TM23 - Felixstowe/Landguard Point
31/10/2022125TM34 - Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
31/10/2022125TM44 - Orford Ness
31/10/2022125TM23 - Felixstowe/Landguard Point
Show Details | 1990 to 2024 | 2000 to 2024 | Graph Key
Express Record Crimson Speckled
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Click Map for Details

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Forewing: 15-22mm
Flight: May to October (mostly in the autumn)
Foodplant:   Herbaceous plants
GB Status: Immigrant
Verification Grade:  Adult: 3
 Immature Adult   [Show Flight Times]
     
Underlying maps using Digital Map Data © Norfolk Online Lepidoptera Archive - NOLA™ - Suffolk 2025. © James Wheeler - Norfolk Moths 2007 - 2025. Data © NOLA™ - Suffolk 2025
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