Species Details

ABH: 73.214

BF: 2317

Family: Noctuidae

Subfamily: Xyleninae

Taxon: Cosmia diffinis

Authority: (Linnaeus, 1767)

Vernacular: White-spotted Pinion

Account: Nationally scarce (Na) in woodland, thickets, copses and plantations in parts of southern England, extending sparsely as far north as the southern Lake District, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Characterised by the prominent white markings on the costa. Larva feeds on English Elm, Wych Elm and Small-leaved Elm, over-wintering as an egg.

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: 28 — 36 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 28 Jul (1949) — 4 Sep (1946)

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

Foodplant: Ulmus glabra (Wych Elm), Ulmus procera (English Elm).

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

Status: Least Concern (LC)

UK BAP: BAP

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/cosmia-diffinis/

Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 46

Individuals: 30

Earliest Year: 1902

Latest Year: 1978

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