Photo © Mike Wall

Butterbur

Hydraecia petasitis

Checklist Number
73.124 [B&F: 2362]

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:Hydraecia
Species:petasitis
Authority:Doubleday, 1847

Local in damp grassland, marshes and river-banks throughout much of England, Wales and Scotland. In Hampshire it probably occurs in every extensive patch of butterbur in the county, especially along the Test and Itchen, and doubtless under-recorded owing to its secretive habits. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 40-52 mm. Unlikely to be confused with any other species: Rosy Rustic H. micacea is usually considerably smaller, redder, with straighter postmedian line with sharply contrasting paler area beyond, and with paler hindwing; Marsh Mallow Moth H. osseola is the same size as Butterbur but the forewing is pale ochreous brown or putty-coloured, and the reniform stigma contains a dark dorsal dot (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Butterbur, 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)

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Beaulieu (SU30)01/09/1993oneBrian Ivon-JonesAdult
Leigh Park (SU70)02/09/1997oneBarry CollinsAdult

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Leckford Estate (SU33)1940-Anon-
Leckford Estate (SU33)1973-Anon-
Leckford (SU33)1973-D H Sterling-
West Down, Chilbolton (SU33)1979-John ChaineyAdult
Leckford Estate (SU33)02/09/1987oneD H SterlingAdult
Leckford Estate (SU33)23/08/1990oneD H SterlingAdult
Stoke Charity (SU43)31/07/1996-P J S SmithAdult
Stoke Charity (SU43)01/08/1996-A G JesselAdult
Stoke Charity (SU43)14/08/1996-P J S SmithAdult
Stoke Charity (SU43)11/09/1996-P J S SmithAdult
Stoke Charity (SU43)16/07/1997-P J S SmithAdult
Itchen Abbas (SU53)24/06/1998oneReg A BellLarval
Itchen Abbas (SU53)1999-Reg A BellLarval
Itchen Abbas (SU53)27/03/2003oneJ R Langmaid, B ElliottLarval
Leckford (SU33)14/08/2004oneBrian StoneAdult
Chilbolton (SU33)08/08/2007oneGlynne EvansAdult
Overton (SU54)13/08/2009oneAlison CrossAdult
Chilbolton (SU33)07/08/2010oneGlynne EvansAdult
Overton (SU54)11/08/2012oneAlison CrossAdult
Overton (SU54)10/08/2013oneAlison CrossAdult
Overton (SU54)13/08/2013oneAlison CrossAdult
Overton (SU54)14/08/2013oneAlison CrossAdult
Leckford Estate (SU33)16/08/2013oneGlynne EvansAdult
Cholderton (SU24)12/08/2016oneTim NorrissAdult
Bullington (SU44)24/08/2021oneGlynne EvansAdult
Bullington (SU44)19/09/2021oneGlynne EvansAdult
Bullington (SU44)22/08/2022fourGlynne EvansAdult