Geometridae : Larentiinae
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Photo © Roger Millard,  Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire (19/07/20)

Similar Herts & Middlesex Species
Spinach
Eulithis mellinata
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Dark Spinach
Pelurga comitata

(Linnaeus, 1758) 1749 / 70.069

General comments:
Very local resident; declining.

At the national level, the population of Dark Spinach moths has apparently declined by 95 per cent since 1970 and the insect now formally qualifies as an Endangered species under the formal IUCN criteria. A decline in this species in the London Area was predicted by me (Plant, 1993). I commented that as pressure increases in London to build on derelict plots where the foodplant grows the moth would inevitably become scarcer. Goosefoot (Chenopodium) and Orache (Atriplex) are both common plants, but their distribution in Hertfordshire and Middlesex is very patchy and sites are temporary. Modern desires for tidiness in the urban and suburban environments must contribute to the demise of the foodplants and to the overall loss of habitat for Dark Spinach moths.

Recorded in 30 (73%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1828.
Last Recorded in 2023.
Additional Stats

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List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
18/08/2023121TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
17/08/2023121TQ08 - Uxbridge
21/08/2022120TL21 - Welwyn Garden City
08/08/2022120TL41 - Sawbridgeworth / Bishop's Stortford
05/08/2022120TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
Express Record Dark Spinach
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VC20 VC21 VC21 VC20
Click Map for Details
Forewing: 16-18mm.
Flight: One generation July-Aug.
Foodplant:   Goose-foots, Orachs
Red List: Vulnerable (VU)
GB Status: Common
BAP Status: Declining (Research only)
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2
 Immature Adult   [Show Flight Weeks]
© hertsmiddxmoths.uk 2024 NOLA®; Database using MapMate® Digital Maps © Bartholomew 2010. Design © Jim Wheeler 2024
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