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Argent & Sable
Rheumaptera hastata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Geometridae: Larentiinae
1787 / 70.120
Photo © Paul Harris

Similar Dorset Species: None
Forewing: 16-19mm
Flight: May - June
Foodplant:   Seedlings of Downy and Silver Birch and also on Bog-myrtle
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Former Status: Nationally Scarce B
Verification Grade:  Adult: 3

Davey, P., 2009: A local day-flying species in Britain, the larva feeding on birch (Betula spp.) in England and bog myrtle (Myrica gale) in Scotland. In Dorset, this fine moth was, until recently, confined to Stubhampton Bottom, a wooded calcareous valley where reasonable numbers of mature birch grow amidst plantation fir and spruce. Butterfly Conservation in partnership with the Forestry Commission and the land owner, removed several acres of woodland within the heart of the Argent and Sable colony in 1996 to create an open south-west facing downland habitat for butterflies; unfortunately the moth has not been observed at the site since, despite targeted searches for it. The species used to be recorded from birch-rich habitat to the south and east of Bere Regis, to the south of Puddletown, and in the far north-east of the county, but much of the birch was felled to make way for conifer plantation during the 1960s: Snipe Moor, by day on 11 June 1949 (A Lisney), Tout Hill, by day on 31 May 1937 (H Andrewes), Bere Wood, by day on 28 May 1966 (H Moore), Farnham, two by day on 21 May 1930, 22 May 1930, two on 23 May 1930, 27 May 1930, 6 June 1930 (H Andrewes). It is recommended that searches continue for this moth at Stubhampton Bottom.

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 3 (8%) of 40 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1930.
Last Recorded in 2003.
(Data up to end 2019)

Latest 5 Records (Data up to end 2019)
Date#VC10k Area
200319ST91 - Tarrant Gunville
20/06/200279ST91 - Tarrant Gunville
01/06/2002+9ST81 - Shillingstone
31/05/200219ST91 - Tarrant Gunville
31/05/200219ST91 - Tarrant Gunville
Further info: Rheumaptera hastata
 
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