Photo © Keith Tailby

Dark Brocade

Mniotype adusta

Checklist Number
73.238 [B&F: 2250]

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

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Xyleninae
Genus:Mniotype
Species:adusta
Authority:(Esper, 1790)

Previously widespread on heathland, chalk downland, fens, woodland, gardens, moorland, upland grassland and sand-dunes throughout much of the British Isles, but decreasing, especially in southern coastal counties, and a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight it was formerly quite numerous but there have been no confirmed records in recent decades, although three records between 1997 and 2009 from VC22 (Hampshire), are retained on the database as possibles. Wingspan 40-46 mm. Dark Brocade can be separated from Pale-shouldered Brocade Lacanobia thalassina and Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae by its completely hairless eyes, and from all Apamea species by the distinctive long eyelashes. Larva feeds on Heather, Bog-myrtle, Alder and Bladder Campion. A good photograph or specimen is required for this species to be considered for acceptance.

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
Bembridge (SZ68)1856-IWGAdult
Sandown (SZ58)1856-IWGAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)27/06/1992oneSam Knill-JonesAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Buckland (SZ39)1920-A D TorlesseAdult
Lee-on-Solent (SU50)1946-A D TorlesseAdult
Old Winchester Hill (SU62)1946-A D TorlesseAdult
Burley, NF (SU20)1950-CW Mackworth-PraedAdult
Sandy Down (SZ39)1950-P J M RobinsonAdult
Rowlands Castle (SU71)1950-F C StanleyAdult
Farley Mount (SU42)09/06/1952-Barry GoaterAdult
Crab and West Wood (SU42)05/06/1953-Barry GoaterAdult
Soberton (SU61)23/06/1954threeJ R LangmaidAdult
Soberton (SU61)07/06/1957oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Soberton (SU61)02/07/1958threeJ R LangmaidAdult
Soberton (SU61)10/06/1967-J R LangmaidAdult
Denny Wood, NF (SU30)01/07/1980-R D Hilliard-
Matchams (SU10)1983-Gordon LePardAdult
Matchams (SU10)1984-Gordon LePardAdult
Matchams (SU10)1986-Gordon LePardAdult
Sandleheath (SU11)1992-Norman Hutchinson-

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Woolmer Forest (SU73)1900-W FassnidgeAdult
Harewood Forest (SU44)1900-W FassnidgeAdult
Ramsdell (SU55)1950-D W H FfennellAdult
Whitehill (SU73)1950-D WrightAdult
Alresford (SU53)1950-D W H FfennellAdult
Micheldever (SU54)1950-CH DixonAdult
Burghclere (SU46)1954-Robert SaundbyAdult
Farringdon (SU73)04/06/1954oneE A SadlerAdult
Farringdon (SU73)08/06/1954oneE A SadlerAdult
Polhampton (SU55)1963fourE A SadlerAdult
Alice Holt (SU84)05/06/1963-E A SadlerAdult
West Tisted (SU62)23/05/1964oneE A SadlerAdult
Monk Sherborne (SU65)1966-Warren GilchristAdult
Alice Holt (SU84)1967sixT G WinterAdult
Alice Holt (SU84)1968oneT G WinterAdult
Worthy Down (SU43)1968threeD H SterlingAdult
Northwood (SU43)22/06/1973-Reg A BellAdult
Odiham (SU74)1983oneMick A ScottAdult
Greywell (SU75)09/07/1984onePaul BoswellAdult

VC22 West Berkshire (Hants county)

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Mortimer West End (SU66)01/07/1997oneGraham DennisAdult
Mortimer West End (SU66)28/05/2005oneGraham DennisAdult
Mortimer West End (SU66)13/06/2009oneGraham DennisAdult