Photo © Keith Tailby

Sword-grass

Xylena exsoleta

Checklist Number
73.208 [B&F: 2242]

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

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Xyleninae
Genus:Xylena
Species:exsoleta
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1758)

Nationally scarce (Nb) on moorland, rough grassland and upland woodland, generally restricted to uplands in parts of Scotland, Shetland and northern England, rare elsewhere, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight formerly resident in all three vice-counties, now an extremely scarce presumed immigrant: the only recent record is of one taken at sugar at Freshwater in October 1978. Wingspan 58-68 mm. There is sometimes a very dark median subdorsal patch which can cause confusion with Red Sword-grass X. vetusta. Larva feeds on Creeping Thistle, Musk Thistle, Spear Thistle, Creeping Cinquefoil, Common Restharrow, Groundsel, Dock and Hop.

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)

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Shanklin (SZ58)1856-IWGAdult
Bembridge (SZ68)1856-IWGAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)1856-IWGAdult
Sandown (SZ58)1856-IWGAdult
Ventnor (SZ57)10/1875oneBuckmasterAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)07/10/1978-AnonAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)07/10/1978onePeter J CrampAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)15/02/2019oneJames HalseyAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Roydon Woods NR (SU30)1999-Phil Budd-

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
East Stratton, Nr Micheldever (SU53)20/06/1930oneC StrangeLarval