Photo © Iain Outlaw

Pale-lemon Sallow

Cirrhia ocellaris

Checklist Number
73.184 [B&F: 2276]

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:Cirrhia
Species:ocellaris
Authority:(Borkhausen, 1792)

Nationally scarce (Na) in plantations, roadside verges and parks throughout much of south-eastern England. In our area first recorded at Wootton, IoW, on 5 October 1997, and at Portsmouth, Hampshire on 3 October 2003. In both counties there have been an increase in sightings, although it is generally less than annual. Wingspan 36-42 mm. The main confusion species is Dusky-lemon Sallow X. gilvago, but X. ocellaris has slightly hooked forewings, and is generally darker. Larva feeds on catkins of Black Poplar, over-wintering as an egg.

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
Wootton (SZ59)05/10/1997oneA J RedfernAdult
Totland (SZ38)01/10/2011oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Cranmore (SZ39)04/10/2011oneIan FletcherAdult
Totland (SZ38)11/10/2015oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Shanklin (SZ58)21/09/2020oneIain OutlawAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Portsmouth (SU60)03/10/2003oneIan ThirlwellAdult
Sandy Point (SZ79)27/09/2009oneAndy JohnsonAdult
Northney, Hayling (SU70)25/09/2010oneJohn W PhillipsAdult
Sandy Point (SZ79)14/10/2010oneAndy JohnsonAdult
Portsmouth (SU60)01/10/2011oneIan ThirlwellAdult
Northney, Hayling (SU70)08/10/2011oneJohn W PhillipsAdult
Sandy Point LNR (SZ79)11/10/2011oneAndy JohnsonAdult
Totton (SU31)30/09/2013oneLyz & Derek HankinsonAdult
Botley Wood (SU50)01/10/2013oneKeith WheelerAdult
Broadlands Lakes (SU31)23/10/2014oneJ R Langmaid, B ElliottAdult
Botley (SU51)06/10/2017oneSue L BaileyAdult
Romsey (SU32)04/10/2019oneSimon LaytonAdult
Portsmouth (SU60)06/10/2019oneIan ThirlwellAdult