Photo © Keith Tailby

Crimson Speckled

Utetheisa pulchella

Checklist Number
72.034 [B&F: 2054]

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

Classification

Family:Erebidae
Subfamily:Arctiinae
Genus:Utetheisa
Species:pulchella
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1758)

Rare immigrant from southern Europe, appearing in southern England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight has appeared irregularly, with 2022 seeing an unprecedented influx. Wingspan 28-40 mm. Unmistakable in a natural context with other European species, although adventives from the Americas and Australasia of the same genus have occurred . Larva feeds on various herbaceous plants, 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)

No Larval records to show.

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Ventnor (SZ57)02/09/1870oneSarllAdult
St Lawrence (SZ57)31/08/1871oneJames KirkbyAdult
Hamstead (SZ39)1881oneAshfordAdult
Luccombe (SZ57)26/10/2006oneBernard SkinnerAdult
Totland (SZ38)04/10/2011oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)08/10/2013oneCaroline DudleyAdult
Totland (SZ38)25/10/2017oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Newport (SZ48)25/10/2022oneDebbie PledgeAdult
St Lawrence (SZ57)26/10/2022-Dave TrevanAdult
Sandown (SZ68)29/10/2022oneKaren ClarkAdult
Dunsbury (SZ38)03/11/2022oneIan RidettAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Christchurch (SZ19)01/10/1818oneJ C DaleAdult
(SZ29)1892eightAdult
Woodgreen, NF (SU11)01/09/1961oneGF DollimoreAdult
Lymington (SZ39)19/09/1961oneJoan GoaterAdult
Minstead (SU21)04/06/1964oneL W SiggsAdult
Hayling Island, Sandy Point NR (SZ79)19/09/1992oneIan ThirlwellAdult
Funtley (SU50)23/09/2006oneMaurice OpieAdult
Wickham Common (SU51)30/10/2011oneKevin CokerAdult
Sandy Point (SZ79)02/10/2013oneAndy JohnsonAdult
South Browndown (Ranges) (SZ59)06/10/2013oneD J A TinlingAdult
Avon Heath Country Park (SU10)16/08/2022oneRebecca BissetAdult
Bramble Hill, NF (SU21)22/10/2022oneClaire PerrensAdult
Latchmere Bottom, NF (SU11)23/10/2022oneMike JurdAdult
Latchmore Bottom, NF (SU11)23/10/2022oneMike JurdAdult
Fareham (SU50)24/10/2022oneMaurice OpieAdult
Highland Water Inclosure (SU21)24/10/2022oneJuliet BlossAdult
Funtley (SU50)26/10/2022oneTrevor CodlinAdult
Funtley (SU50)27/10/2022oneTrevor CodlinAdult
Bedhampton, Havant (SU60)27/10/2022oneUnknownAdult
Winkton Common (SZ19)28/10/2022oneGraham KingAdult
Stanpit Marsh LNR (SZ19)29/10/2022twoMichael GibbonsAdult
Sway (SZ29)31/10/2022oneUnknownAdult
Woodlands, NF (SU31)10/11/2022oneRussell B WynnAdult
Lymington (SZ39)11/11/2022oneAlec S HarmerAdult

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Whitehill (SU73)30/08/1961oneD WrightAdult