Photo © Keith Tailby

Silvery Arches

Polia hepatica

Checklist Number
73.260 [B&F: 2149]

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

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Hadeninae
Genus:Polia
Species:hepatica
Authority:(Clerck, 1759)

Nationally scarce (Nb) in wooded heathland, moorland and open woodland, in Britain. In Hampshire local and uncommon in heathy areas, where the larvae can be found at night in spring, feeding on the opening buds of birch saplings growing amongst heather. This species has all but disappeared from the New Forest and north-east Hampshire, as well as from places in the centre of the county where the habitat has been destroyed. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight since 1980. Wingspan 43-52 mm. Fairly unmistakable. Larva feeds on Silver Birch, Downy Birch, Sallow, Bog-myrtle, Hawthorn and Honeysuckle.

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.