Species Details

ABH: 73.354

BF: 2131

Family: Noctuidae

Subfamily: Noctuinae

Taxon: Xestia stigmatica

Authority: (Hübner, [1813])

Vernacular: Square-spotted Clay

Account: Nationally scarce (Nb), declining, in ancient broad-leaved woodland, woodland clearings and scrub. Since 1980 the main areas have been the Chiltern beechwoods of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, and acidic, thin-soiled areas around Guildford and Reading, the Brecklands of Norfolk and Suffolk, and the North Yorkshire Moors Distinguished from Triple-spotted Clay X. ditrapezium by its broader wing-shape, duller colour and the absence of a subapical spot on the forewing (MBGBI Vol 9). A good photograph or specimen is required for this species to be considered for acceptance. Larva feeds on Stinging Nettle, Dog's Mercury and Oxlip.

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: 37 — 44mm

Surrey Flight Period: 12 Jul (2007) — 6 Sep (1951)

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: Least Concern (LC)

UK BAP: BAP

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 2 — Care needed to identify, an image may be required 🤔
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/xestia-stigmatica/
Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 83

Individuals: 68

Earliest Year: 1908

Latest Year: 2020

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