Photo © Keith Tailby

Golden Twin-spot

Chrysodeixis chalcites

Checklist Number
73.008 [B&F: 2428]

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

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Plusiinae
Genus:Chrysodeixis
Species:chalcites
Authority:(Esper, [1803])

Immigrant from southern Europe, appearing in southern England: up to 1980, there were about 18 records, all in September and October, between 1980 and 2001 over 100 specimens were recorded. In 1977 and 1978 some 20 larvae or pupae were found on house plants imported from the Canary Islands and Kenya. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight seven immigrants have been recorded to date, three from Freshwater, two from Highcliffe, and one each from Warsash and Crawley. Wingspan 33-44 mm. The most likely confusion species is Tunbridge Wells Gem C. acuta, which see for differences. Larva feeds on a wide variety of plants, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas, no evidence of breeding in the UK.

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)

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Freshwater (SZ38)05/10/1965oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)09/09/1985oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)19/10/1988oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)19/11/1998oneSam Knill-JonesLarval
Bonchurch (SZ57)29/10/2007oneJames HalseyAdult
Wheelers Bay (SZ57)30/08/2014oneAndy ButlerAdult
Wheelers Bay (SZ57)22/07/2016oneAndy ButlerAdult
East Cowes (SZ59)19/10/2018oneVidya WoltonAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)13/11/2018oneJames HalseyAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Highcliffe (SZ29)1981oneE H WildAdult
Southsea (SZ69)30/07/2014oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Sandy Point (SZ79)22/09/2014oneAndy JohnsonAdult
Southsea (SZ69)13/08/2016oneJeff GoodridgeAdult
Fareham (SU50)24/10/2017oneIvor McPhersonAdult
Bournemouth (SZ19)11/10/2018oneDavid EvansAdult
Southsea (SZ69)20/09/2019oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Southsea (SZ69)09/08/2020oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Browndown Coastal Ranges (SZ59)28/10/2022oneKeith WheelerAdult
Lymington (SZ39)10/11/2022oneAlec S HarmerAdult

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Northwood (SU43)23/09/1998oneReg A BellAdult