Noctuidae : Noctuinae
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Photo © John Edmund Chainey,  Royston, Hertfordshire (30/07/06)

Similar Herts & Middlesex Species
Purple Clay
Diarsia brunnea
Triple-spotted Clay
Xestia ditrapezium
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Square-spotted Clay
Xestia stigmatica

(Esper, 1790) 2131 / 73.354
=Xestia rhomboidea

General comments
Widespread resident in Hertfordshire. Currently absent from Middlesex

The Square-spotted Clay has been regarded recently as a rare moth in Britain and until recently was categorised as a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species and included in English Nature's 'Species Recovery Programme'. In spite of this, it almost immediately recovered. Although the inclusion was wise, the moth has nevertheless demonstrated that sometimes enormous population swings are quite normal. Rather more worrying is the absence from Middlesex.

Recorded in 24 (59%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1887.
Last Recorded in 2023.
Additional Stats

< Dotted Clay | Neglected Rustic >

List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
06/09/2023120SP90 - Berkhamsted
02/09/2023120TL42 - Bishop's Stortford (N)
01/09/2023120TL21 - Welwyn Garden City
22/08/2023220TL42 - Bishop's Stortford (N)
22/08/2023120TL42 - Bishop's Stortford (N)
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
Express Record Square-spotted Clay
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VC20 VC21 VC21 VC20
Click Map for Details
Forewing: 17-20mm.
Flight: One generation July-Aug.
Foodplant:   Common Nettle, Dog's Mercury and Oxlip
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Former Status: Nationally Scarce B
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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