Photo © Andy Mitchell

Phycitodes maritima

Checklist Number
62.057 [B&F: 1485]

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

Classification

Family:Pyralidae
Subfamily:Phycitinae
Genus:Phycitodes
Species:maritima
Authority:(Tengström, 1848)

Local in rough meadows and waste ground throughout much of England, especially in the south-east, and also in the Scottish Highlands. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight under-recorded and confusable with the other Phycitodes species, and has been bred on several occasions from the heads of Common Ragwort, from both coastal and inland localities - despite its specific name, it is not tied to the coast. Wingspan 18-22 mm. This species is intermediate in size between P. binaevella and P. saxicola, is shorter-winged than the former and more robust than the latter; its spot pattern resembles that of P. saxicola, though the slightly different positioning of the two discal dots does seem to be fairly constant [Goater]. Larva feeds within flowerheads of Yarrow, Tansy, Groundsel and Common Ragwort.

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)