Morley's Final Catalogue: Quite frequent in all sandy places near Ipswich, along the coast, and in the Breck. Bentley (Hkg); Ipswich at light, and Felixstow (Baylis); Foxhall, Playford, plentiful at Hemley and Waldringfield; Aldeburgh, Leiston, Sizewell denes, Sotterly, Southwold, Kessingland; Belton and Gorleston. Many at Tuddenham light, Mildenhall in 1931, Worlington in 1934, Elveden and Brandon.

Recent Suffolk Status: Local in the Sandlings and Breck, along the coast and scattered sites inland.

Life history: Double-brooded. Easily flushed from grassland by day as well as coming to light. Larvae have been found in the county after dark during the winter months by searching acid grassland on mild nights.

Identification: Vestal, which is also easily disturbed by day from grassland, rests with the wings folded tightly downwards rather than upwards or flat like Yellow belle. See also Straw belle, an extinct species in the county.

Habitat: Acid grassland, heathland, coastal grassland, shingle, saltmarshes.

Recorded in 37 (64%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1931. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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