Geometridae : Sterrhinae
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Photo © Paul Kitchener,  10/10/2023 - Shottisham

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Immature stages

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Similar Suffolk Species: None
 
Vestal
Rhodometra sacraria

(Linnaeus, 1767) 1716 / 70.038

Morley's Final Catalogue: No second example of this casual immigrant has appeared here since P. Bouchard took a male in 'Suffolk' during 1863 (Ent, Ann. 1864, 128; Zool. 1863, 8784). Our Member, Col. Hawley, has taken one recently on the south Hants coast.

Recent Suffolk Status: Much more common as an immigrant than in Morley's time, occurring virtually annually in numbers, normally late summer/ autumn.

Life history: Multi brooded. The moth does breed in some years with big migrations producing home-bred individuals which are often more pink in colour. Cannot survive the British winter in any stage.
Adults easily disturbed from long grass during the day.

Identification: Unmistakeable.

Habitat: Coastal areas but also grasslands and gardens.

Recorded in 41 (71%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1940.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats

< Clay Triple-lines | Oblique Striped >

Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
17/10/2024125TM25 - Wickham Market/Otley
30/10/2023126TL97 - Hopton/Ixworth
29/10/2023125TM46 - Minsmere/Leiston
24/10/2023125TM25 - Wickham Market/Otley
23/10/2023+25TM34 - Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
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Copyright © Lepidoptera UK 2024
   
Click Map for Details

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Forewing: 12-14mm.
Flight: Arrive April-Nov.
Foodplant:   Knotgrass
GB Status: Immigrant
Verification Grade:  Adult: 1
 Immature Adult   [Show Flight Times]
     
Underlying maps using Digital Map Data © Norfolk Online Lepidoptera Archive - NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024. © James Wheeler - Norfolk Moths 2007 - 2024. Data © NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024
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