Photo © Mike Wall

Small Mottled Willow

Spodoptera exigua

Checklist Number
73.087 [B&F: 2385]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Xyleninae
Genus:Spodoptera
Species:exigua
Authority:(Hübner, [1808])

A common migrant from mainland Europe, appearing most frequently in southern coastal counties, less often inland and northwards to southern Scotland and the Inner Hebrides; recorded throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 26-32 mm. The main confusion species are Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis and the rare migrant Dark Mottled Willow S. cilium, but combination of resting position, in which forewings are wrapped tightly around the body, and brownish centres to reniform and orbicular stigmata usually diagnostic. Larva feeds on Dandelion, Groundsel, Broad-leaved Dock, Curled Dock and Common Restharrow.

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.