Species Details

ABH: 70.069

BF: 1749

Family: Geometridae

Subfamily: Larentiinae

Taxon: Pelurga comitata

Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular: Dark Spinach

Account: Common in rough ground, gardens and allotments throughout much of England, Wales and western Scotland, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan The most likely confusion species is Northern Spinach Eulithis populata, however that species has two points on the distal projection of the postmedian fascia, whereas Dark Spinach has a single point. Larva feeds on Goosefoot and Orache, over-wintering as a pupa.

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: 33 — 39 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 27 Jun (1952) — 5 Sep (1955)

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

Foodplant: Atriplex sp., Chenopodium sp.

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/pelurga-comitata/

Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 156

Individuals: 60

Earliest Year: 1903

Latest Year: 2020

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