Photo © Nick Montegriffo

Tunbridge Wells Gem

Chrysodeixis acuta

Checklist Number
73.009 [B&F: 2429]

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

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Plusiinae
Genus:Chrysodeixis
Species:acuta
Authority:(Walker, 1857)

Rare immigrant from North Africa, appearing occasionally in southern England. In Hampshire first recorded at Burghclere in 1955, and on the Isle of Wight, recorded in 1988 and 1995. In 2015, two individuals turned up in South Hampshire, at Portsmouth and Totton. Wingspan 36-46 mm. The main confusion species is Golden Twin-spot C. chalcites, but C. acuta is larger, with more pointed forewings, which are largely purplish-brown, with the silver markings in the centre of the forewing larger and fuller. Larva feeds on Tomato and various Leguminosae; no evidence of breeding in the UK.

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)19/10/1988oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Binsted (SZ59)27/10/1995oneBrian WarneAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Totton (SU31)09/10/2015oneLyz HankinsonAdult
Southsea (SZ69)18/12/2015oneJ R LangmaidAdult

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Burghclere (SU46)05/11/1955oneRobert SaundbyAdult