Photo © Mike Wall

Great Dart

Agrotis bigramma

Checklist Number
73.315 [B&F: 2094]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Noctuinae
Genus:Agrotis
Species:bigramma
Authority:(Esper, 1790)

Rare immigrant from southern Europe, appearing in southern England. Eighteen were recorded in the 20th Century, including nine at Portland and three on St. Agnes on 10 August 1997. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight there have been four records of this very rare immigrant (to 2023), two in August 1986, followed by further singletons in 2011 and 2012. Wingspan 40-48 mm. Abdomen with conspicuous lateral tufts, in male white, in female dark; Turnip Moth A. segetum is usually smaller, has the reniform stigma less square and the abdominal tufts small and inconspicuous; Crescent Dart A. trux has the orbicular stigma conspicuously white (MBGBI Vol 9). Larva feeds on roots and lower stems of various grasses.

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)

No Larval records to show.

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Freshwater (SZ38)12/08/1996oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)25/07/2011oneJames HalseyAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Beaulieu (SU30)05/08/1996oneBrian Ivon-JonesAdult
Sandy Point LNR (SZ79)17/08/2012oneAndy JohnsonAdult