Photo © Mike Wall

Golden Plusia

Polychrysia moneta

Checklist Number
73.014 [B&F: 2437]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Plusiinae
Genus:Polychrysia
Species:moneta
Authority:(Fabricius, 1787)

Common in gardens and parks throughout much of England and Wales. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight first became established in the county in the late 19th Century, becoming a moderately common cottage garden species, taking advantage of cultivated species of Delphinium and Aconitum. It then decreased in numbers quite dramatically, possibly due to the increased usage of insecticides in gardens, but is still reported occasionally. Wingspan 38-44 mm. Fairly distinctive. Larva feeds on flower buds, leaves and seeds of Larkspur.

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.