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Square-spotted Clay
Xestia stigmatica (Esper, 1790)
Noctuidae: Noctuinae
2131 / 73.354
Photo © Ben Moyes,  Stowupland 2020-08-12

Similar Suffolk Species
Purple Clay
Diarsia brunnea
Triple-spotted Clay
Xestia ditrapezium
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

Morley's Final Catalogue: No more frequent than the last kind, but oftener noticed: occurs with it. Copdock (Hocking), Bentley (Gibbs) on sugar, and sparingly on banks of Orwell at Ipswich (Mly), a few at Hemley (Wlr); Glemham Magna (Bloomfield), Needham (L), Bury (Skepper); Henham (Btn), Bungay (Mn), Beccles (Crf), Fritton in August (Ml).

Recent Suffolk Status: Local. Usually recorded in small numbers at light.

Life history: Single-brooded. Larvae have been found in the county feeding at night in spring on various low growing plants including Nettles.

Identification: The dark-greyish, often slightly purplish colour plus the thick blackish outer band distinguishes this species from similar ones.

Habitat: Woodland and scrub areas.

Recorded in 41 (71%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1940.
Last Recorded in 2023.

Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
16/09/2023125TM25 - Wickham Market/Otley
07/09/2023125TM47 - Blythburgh/Dunwich
06/09/2023125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
06/09/2023125TM25 - Wickham Market/Otley
04/09/2023225TM38 - Bungay/Rumburgh
Further info: Xestia stigmatica
 
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