Psamathocrita argentella

Checklist Number
35.063 [B&F: 0750a]

Verification
Record requires retention of specimen until confirmed, and may require dissection. Consult with CMR if unsure

Classification

Family:Gelechiidae
Subfamily:Anomologinae
Genus:Psamathocrita
Species:argentella
Authority:Pierce & Metcalfe, 1942

Vulnerable (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) and endemic to the British Isles, frequenting salt-marshes in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Sussex and Dorset. First discovered near Southampton Water in 1937, feared lost when the original site was destroyed in 1971, but rediscovered on a saltmarsh near St Helen's, Isle of Wight in 1973 and now known from several locations in and around the region, including Farlington Marsh and Hayling Island. Wingspan 10-11 mm. Easily mistaken for one of the Coleophoridae, identification often requires dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds on flowers and seeds of Sea Couch.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
St Helens (SZ68)1973-D W H FfennellAdult
Newtown (SZ49)12/07/1985-Robin Knill-JonesAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Titchfield Haven NNR (SU50)01/07/1978-Richard J DicksonAdult
Southsea (SZ69)24/06/1983oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Hilsea Lines, Portsmouth (SU60)08/07/1983twoJ R Langmaid, E C Pelham-ClintonAdult
Sinah Common, Hayling (SZ69)13/06/1987-J R Langmaid, D H SterlingAdult
Southsea (SZ69)18/06/1989oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Southsea (SZ69)19/06/1989oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Southsea (SZ69)20/06/1989oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Southsea (SZ69)22/06/1992oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Hook Lake NR (SU40)17/06/1994oneRichard J DicksonAdult
Hayling (SZ69)22/06/2001-J R Langmaid, I R ThirlwellAdult
Southsea (SZ69)24/06/2001oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Hayling (SZ69)22/07/2001-J R Langmaid, I R ThirlwellLarval
Eastney (SZ69)02/08/2001-J R Langmaid, M R YoungLarval feeding signs
Farlington Marshes HIWWT NR (SU60)15/08/2001-J R Langmaid, I R ThirlwellLarval
Sinah Common, Hayling (SZ79)28/08/2001-J R LangmaidLarval
Sinah Common, Hayling (SZ69)28/08/2001-J R LangmaidLarval
Eastney (SZ69)10/09/2002-J R LangmaidLarval
Sinah Common, Hayling (SZ69)24/07/2003oneJ R Langmaid, M R YoungLarval
Eastney (SZ69)02/09/2003-J R Langmaid, D J L AgassizLarval