Photo © Mike Wall
Purple Cloud
Actinotia polyodon
Checklist Number73.111 [B&F: 2097]
Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification
Rare immigrant from northern Europe, appearing in south-eastern England. In Hampshire one to light on Hayling Island in 2022 was only the second for the county after an ancient record of one found in a spider's web at Ashford, some time before 1855. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 31-36 mm. Could conceivably be confused with Latin Callopistria juventina. Larva feeds on flowers, stems and leaves of St John's-wort, 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)
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashford (SU11) | 1800 | one | W H Hawker | Adult |
| Northney, Hayling Island (SU70) | 19/07/2022 | one | John W Phillips | Adult |
