Species Details

ABH: 3.004

BF: 16

Family: Hepialidae

Taxon: Phymatopus hecta

Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular: Gold Swift

Account: Local in grassland throughout most of the British Isles The golden markings on forewing of male are diagnostic; in particular, the diagonal, sometimes broken band near base runs roughly parallel to outer markings, unlike other swift moths (MBGBI Vol 1). Larva feeds within roots of Bracken, over-wintering twice.

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: male 26 — 30 mm; female 28 — 32 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 16 May (1961) — 24 Jul (1954)

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

Foodplant: Pteridium sp.

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

Status: Least Concern (LC)

UK 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/phymatopus-hecta/

Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 120

Individuals: 58

Earliest Year: 1899

Latest Year: 2023

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