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Portland Moth
Actebia praecox (Linnaeus, 1758)
Noctuidae: Noctuinae
2099 / 73.308

Similar Herts & Middlesex Species: None
Forewing: 17-21mm.
Flight: One generation Aug-Sept.
Foodplant:   Creeping Willow.
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Nationally Scarce
Former Status: Nationally Scarce B
Verification Grade:  Adult: 3

General comments:
Immigrant.

A single published Hertfordshire record for this distinctive green moth, from 'Hoddesdon, two specimens at sugar, Sept. 1913. G. V. Bull', was presented by Foster (1937). The moth, which flies in August and September, is a local resident in some coastal sandhills of Britain. In 2022, these potential source sites for a vagrant moth seem ludicrously far away, but in 1913 the species was also present on the coast in Norfolk, Essex and Kent. It is assumed that the moth was a vagrant from one of these coastal localities; nevertheless, it would be desirable to locate Bull's collection and examine the specimen, if it still exists.

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 1 (2%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1913.
Last Recorded in 1913.

Latest Records
Date#VC10k - General Area
September 1913220TL30 - Hoddesdon / Cheshunt
Further info: Actebia praecox
 
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