Photo © Laurie Evans

Loxostege sticticalis

Checklist Number
63.002 [B&F: 1368]

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

Classification

Family:Crambidae
Subfamily:Pyraustinae
Genus:Loxostege
Species:sticticalis
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1761)

Irregular immigrant to the British Isles from southern Europe, common in some years. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight most frequent on the coast, but very irregular in appearance, with a notable influx in 1995 when at least 12 were recorded. Most common in the south, where it is nearly annual, reports from the north are very rare, with only four to date: one in 2022 was the first for 21 years (five individuals were reported in VC12). Wingspan 24-29 mm. Most likely to be confused with the abundant Udea olivalis, but distinguished by the characteristic white terminal streak. Larva feeds on Mugwort, over-wintering as a pupa.

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.

VC8 Wiltshire (Hants county)

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Martin Down (SU01)03/06/2012onePeter AllenAdult

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Sandown (SZ58)1856twoIWGAdult
Bembridge (SZ68)1856-IWGAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)08/08/1965-Sam Knill-JonesAdult
Binsted (SZ59)07/08/1995oneBrian WarneAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)08/08/1995-Sam Knill-Jones-
Chale Green (SZ47)12/08/1995oneSimon ColenuttAdult
Chale Green (SZ47)20/08/1995oneSimon ColenuttAdult
Binsted (SZ59)21/08/1995oneBrian WarneAdult
Yarmouth (SZ38)12/08/2012oneIan & Peter GambleAdult
Wheeler's Bay (SZ57)20/07/2014oneAndy ButlerAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)26/08/2019oneJames HalseyAdult
Totland (SZ38)29/08/2019twoSam Knill-JonesAdult
West High Down Quarry (SZ38)07/08/2020oneIain OutlawAdult
The Garlic Farm (SZ58)02/08/2021oneOliver BournatAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Alverstoke (SZ69)01/08/1955oneA D TorlesseAdult
Minstead (SU21)1975oneL W SiggsAdult
Southsea (SZ69)07/08/1982oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Beaulieu (SU30)03/08/1995oneBrian Ivon-JonesAdult
Beaulieu (SU30)06/08/1995twoBrian Ivon-JonesAdult
Pennington (SZ39)22/08/1995oneRichard CoomberAdult
Chandlers Ford (SU42)22/08/1995oneBarry GoaterAdult
Beaulieu (SU30)14/08/1996oneBrian Ivon-JonesAdult
Lymington (SZ39)17/08/1996-Tony PicklesAdult
Portsmouth (SU60)09/08/1997-Ian ThirlwellAdult
Hurn (SZ19)15/08/2001oneMike JeffesAdult
Portsmouth (SU60)01/08/2007oneIan ThirlwellAdult
Sholing (SU41)19/08/2012oneAndy CollinsAdult
Portsmouth (SU60)24/08/2015oneIan ThirlwellAdult
Southampton (SU50)23/08/2016oneKeith PlumridgeAdult
Norleywood, NF (SZ39)21/08/2017oneRichard Coomber & Mary MacmillanAdult
Fareham (SU50)12/07/2022oneMaurice OpieAdult
Woodlands, NF (SU31)19/07/2022oneRussell B WynnAdult
Lovedean (SU61)24/07/2022oneAlan JafkinsAdult
The Hangers, Bishops Waltham (SU51)06/08/2022oneSimon IngramAdult
Portchester (SU60)05/09/2022oneDavid ShuteAdult
Petersfield Heath, Petersfield (SU72)11/09/2022oneRon AllenAdult

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Micheldever (SU54)07/08/1970oneCH DixonAdult
Stockbridge (SU33)06/08/1995oneE A SadlerAdult
Harestock, Winchester (SU43)24/09/2001oneBrian FletcherAdult
Ecchinswell (SU56)12/09/2022oneMike NormanAdult