Photo © Mike Wall

Chionodes distinctella

Checklist Number
35.095 [B&F: 0791]

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

Classification

Family:Gelechiidae
Subfamily:Gelechiinae
Genus:Chionodes
Species:distinctella
Authority:(Zeller, 1839)

Nationally scarce (Na) on dry sandy areas in England and Wales, with a few isolated populations in Scotland and Ireland. Known in the past from the New Forest, Hayling Island and the Itchen Valley in Hampshire, but with no records until its rediscovery in the Forest in 2022. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 14-15 mm. Larva feeds within roots of various grasses.

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
Yarmouth area (SZ38)07/1889oneUnknownAdult
St Helens (SZ68)04/07/1899threeA H Hamm collectionAdult
Newtown (SZ49)1974oneSmithAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Lyndhurst (SU30)1890oneW H B Fletcher collAdult
Hayling Island (SU70)22/07/1893oneW H B Fletcher collAdult
Ogden's Purlieu, NF (SU11)12/07/2022oneTony DavisAdult