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Figure of Eight
Diloba caeruleocephala (Linnaeus, 1758)
Noctuidae: Dilobinae
2020 / 73.033
Photo © Liz Goodyear,  Ware, Hertfordshire (02/11/23)

Similar Herts & Middlesex Species
Figure of Eighty
Tethea ocularis
Poplar Lutestring
Tethea or
Forewing: 15-19mm.
Flight: One generation Sept-Nov.
Foodplant:   Blackthorn, Hawthorns, Plum, Cherry, Crab Apple.
Red List: Endangered (EN)
GB Status: Common
Verification Grade:  Adult: 3

General comments:
Declining resident - extremely local and scarce.

National populations have suffered a 95 per cent decline since 1970. This seems to be reflected in Hertfordshire and Middlesex, where it has vanished from most places where it was once numerous. The larvae are distinctive and easily beaten from the foodplant - they should be searched for (and reported!).

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 23 (56%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1887.
Last Recorded in 2023.

Latest Records
Date#VC10k - General Area
03/11/2023120TL22 - Stevenage
02/11/2023120TL31 - Hertford
30/10/2023220TL22 - Stevenage
30/10/2023220TL22 - Stevenage
27/10/2023120TL31 - Hertford
27/10/2023120TL30 - Hoddesdon / Cheshunt
23/10/2023120TL10 - St Albans
23/10/2023220TL30 - Hoddesdon / Cheshunt
21/10/2023220TL10 - St Albans
21/10/2023120TL22 - Stevenage
Further info: Diloba caeruleocephala
 
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