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Pale Pinion
Lithophane socia (Clerck, 1759)
Noctuidae: Xyleninae
2236 / 73.201
Photo © David Hunt,  Harpenden, Hertfordshire (11/03/23)

Similar Herts & Middlesex Species
Tawny Pinion
Lithophane semibrunnea
Forewing: 17-20mm.
Flight: Oct-May. (hibernating)
Foodplant:   Oaks. birches, sallows, Hazel other trees and shrubs.
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Former Status: Local
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2

General comments:
Widespread but local resident.

There are no records for Hertfordshire prior to 1987, when our first was taken in Rickmansworth by Ric Sandifer. It appears that the Pale Pinion has colonised us since that year. The first Middlesex record is from Ruislip in 2000. Like the Tawny Pinion, Pale Pinions seem to fly very late at night and so under-recording is possible in places where traps are not left to operate until dawn. It is more frequently reported after hibernation than in the autumn.

Recorded in 25 (61%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1940.
Last Recorded in 2024.

Latest Records
Date#VC10k - General Area
11/05/2024121TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
05/04/2024120TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
15/03/2024120TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
13/03/2024120TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
08/03/2024120TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
21/07/2023120TL42 - Bishop's Stortford (N)
14/05/2023121TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
09/05/2023120TL00 - Hemel Hempstead
08/05/2023120TL21 - Welwyn Garden City
06/05/2023120TL23 - Letchworth / Baldock
Further info: Lithophane socia
 
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