Species Details

ABH: 70.038

BF: 1716

Family: Geometridae

Subfamily: Sterrhinae

Taxon: Rhodometra sacraria

Authority: (Linnaeus, 1767)

Vernacular: Vestal

Account: Immigrant from southern Europe, appearing most frequently on the south coast, but north to northern Scotland, in some years arriving in sufficient numbers to breed Home-bred individuals duller than immigrants, and it is these that most closely resemble Straw Belle Aspitates gilvaria, but Vestal is smaller and rests with tent-like resting posture, while Straw Belle is usually speckled. Larva feeds on Knotgrass, but unable to over-winter in significant numbers.

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: 22 — 28 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 12 May (1998) — 3 Nov (1982)

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

Foodplant: Polygonum sp., Rumex sp. (a dock).

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

Status: Migrant

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/rhodometra-sacraria/

Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 334

Individuals: 343

Earliest Year: 1871

Latest Year: 2024

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