Species Details

ABH: 73.065

BF: 2227

Family: Noctuidae

Subfamily: Psaphidinae

Taxon: Asteroscopus sphinx

=Brachionycha sphinx

Authority: (Hufnagel, 1766)

Vernacular: Sprawler

Account: Common in broad-leaved woodland, gardens, and areas with scattered trees throughout England, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan No other similar species has such a late flight period. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Goat Willow, Small-leaved Elm and Common Lime.

Accounts provided by and used with the kind permission of Mike Wall, Hampshire County Moth Recorder. These will in due course be gradually replaced with species accounts with a Surrey context.

Wingspan: 38 — 50 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 5 Oct (2023) — 4 Dec (1985)

The flight period of overwintering adults are not given. See the flight chart below the distribution map.

Foodplant:

Foodplant accounts are from the HOSTS database — Natural History Museum, London, UK. (CC0).

Status: Vulnerable (VU)

UK BAP: BAP(R)

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 1 — Relatively easily identified 👌

Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/asteroscopus-sphinx/

Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 246

Individuals: 192

Earliest Year: 1840

Latest Year: 2025

« Previous Random 🎲 Next »