Photo © Mike Wall

Essex Emerald

Thetidia smaragdaria

Checklist Number
70.301 [B&F: 1668]

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

Classification

Family:Geometridae
Subfamily:Geometrinae
Genus:Thetidia
Species:smaragdaria
Authority:(Fabricius, 1787)

Extinct in the British Isles, formerly in saltmarshes in parts of Kent and Essex, predominantly coastal. The last Essex colony died out in 1985 and the last wild Kent record was in 1991. Unlikely to be recorded in Hampshire or on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 33-35 mm. Larva feeds on Sea Wormwood.