Photo © Mike Baker
Thyme Plume
Merrifieldia leucodactyla
Checklist Number45.033 [B&F: 1510]
Verification
Record will normally be accepted but photo evidence may be required - check with CMR if not sure of identity
Classification
| Family: | Pterophoridae |
| Subfamily: | Pterophorinae |
| Genus: | Merrifieldia |
| Species: | leucodactyla |
| Authority: | ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) |
Local on chalk downland, sea cliffs and sandhills throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire recorded on the downs in small numbers, barely annually. Not recorded reliably on the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 18-25 mm. Thoroughly confused in the past with M. tridactyla from which separated only by microscopic examination of the antennae. Larva feeds on Wild Thyme.
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)
VC8 Wiltshire (Hants county)
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Down NNR (SU01) | 08/06/1992 | - | J R Langmaid, R M Palmer | Adult |
| Martin Down NNR (SU01) | 03/07/2010 | four | Richard Coomber | Adult |
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxenbourne Down (SU71) | 05/07/1975 | - | J R Langmaid, R J Dickson | Adult |
| Broughton Down (SU23) | 14/06/2000 | two | Tony Dobson | Adult |
| Broughton Down (SU23) | 28/06/2000 | - | Tony Dobson | Adult |
| Cosham (SU60) | 2001 | - | Terry Jennings | Adult |
| Cosham (SU60) | 12/05/2001 | two | Terry Jennings | Adult |
| Oxenbourne Down (SU71) | 18/07/2007 | one | J R Langmaid, M R, J E Young | Adult |
| Broughton Down (SU23) | 16/06/2008 | one | Mike Baker | Adult |
| Broughton Down (SU23) | 14/06/2011 | one | Glynne Evans | Adult |
| Broughton (SU33) | 07/07/2022 | one | Glynne Evans | Adult |
VC12 North Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leckford Estate (SU33) | 09/07/1981 | - | J R Langmaid, D H Sterling | Adult |
| Stockbridge Down (SU33) | 07/07/1985 | - | J R Langmaid, D H, P H Sterling | Adult |
| Leckford Estate (SU33) | 07/07/1985 | - | J R Langmaid, D H, P H Sterling | Adult |
| Leckford Estate (SU33) | 29/06/1986 | - | J R Langmaid, D H Sterling, P H Sterling, M S Parsons | Adult |
| Leckford Estate (SU33) | 10/07/1986 | - | J R Langmaid, D H Sterling | Adult |
| Leckford Estate (SU33) | 11/07/1987 | - | J R Langmaid, D H Sterling | Adult |
| Leckford Estate (SU33) | 22/06/1989 | - | J R Langmaid, D H Sterling | Adult |
| Leckford Estate (SU33) | 22/06/1992 | one | J R Langmaid, D H Sterling | Adult |
| Porton Down (SU23) | 01/07/2000 | - | David G Green | Adult |
| Porton Down (SU23) | 03/07/2003 | - | David G Green | Adult |
| Sherborne St John (SU65) | 04/07/2009 | one | Nick Montegriffo | Adult |
| Leckford (SU33) | 11/06/2011 | one | Tim Norriss, Lynn Fomison | Adult |
| Leckford Golf Course (SU33) | 19/06/2011 | one | Glynne Evans | Adult |
| Sherborne St John (SU65) | 29/06/2015 | one | Nick Montegriffo | Adult |
| Anna Valley, Andover (SU34) | 20/07/2021 | one | Tim Norriss, Lynn Fomison | Adult |
| Noar Hill HIWWT NR, Selborne (SU73) | 09/06/2023 | one | Tony Davis, Fi Haynes | Adult |
| Basingstoke (SU65) | 12/07/2023 | one | Mike Wall | Adult |
