Main: (Noctuidae / Noctuinae)
73.330 [B&F: 2102a] Radford's Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura leucogaster) (Freyer, [1831])

 

Rare immigrant from southern Europe, appearing in southern England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight first recorded at Lepe on the mainland in October 2006 and at Ventnor on the Island in September 2008. From 2015 it has been reported annually, particularly on the island, and 2021 saw a record 42 individuals.

Wingspan 34-37 mm. Resembles Flame Shoulder O. plecta but the forewings are proportionately longer and paler than in O. plecta with an indistinct line of subterminal spots. O. leucogaster has smaller orbicular and reniform stigmata, straighter and more compact 'flame shoulder' running along the upper edge of the forewing to just beyond the reniform stigma, much purer white and larger hindwings with a whitish fringe. The deeply coloured maroon metathorax contrasts sharply with the silky white hairs which cover the anterior abdominal segments and contrast strongly with the dark red thoracic hairs. The abdomen itself is very pale brown, unlike the darker earth-brown colour of O. plecta (MBGBI Vol 9). Larva feeds on Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, no evidence of breeding in the UK.

Flightime guide
StageJFM AMJ JAS OND
Adult
Larval

Records Received By Year

% of total records
Max records: 44
                         
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Percentage of Total Records

Total records
Max Percentage: 0.035975635
                         
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Phenology - Adult Records

Max records: 16
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Distribution Map

Historical distribution at tetrad resolution
Click for density map

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