Status
Morley’s Final Catalogue: Shingle-street in Hollesley at the beginning of June 1936 (Whittingham).
Recent Status: Few records up until 2022 when the moth was suddenly seen in large numbers. Formerly a species found on the Suffolk saltmarshes.
From 2003-2019 there are only 22 records in the database. Numbers then increased slightly with 48 noted in 2020 then 36 in 2021. Most records were of singletons with the highest single count of 7 noted in 2021.
This slow increase changed dramatically in 2022, when 513 records were received. Moths were recorded from 01/05 right through until 18/11. There were some huge counts from traps in both vice counties: 305 at Landguard VC25 on 19/08 (N. Odin), 255 at Stowupland VC25 on 16/08 (B. Moyes) and 250 at Brandon VC26 on 04/09 (G. Geen, Z. Geen). The reason for this dramatic increase is not fully understood, but could have been due to a large immigration wave to the UK (this phenomena was noted across the country) or perhaps the moth switched foodplant to Sugar Beet. An estimated 200+ moths were flushed in the daytime from the edge of a field of Sugar Beet at Wherstead on 11/09/2022 (N. Sherman).
There then follwed a prolonged cold spell during the winter of 2022/23 and the species that had been found commonly across the country declined. Far fewer were found during 2023. It is likely that climate change (warming) allowed the species to move away from its coastal habitat. The progress in future years will be interesting to watch.
Life Style: The moth is double brooded and can be found from May to October. The larvae feed on Beta vulgaris. They mine and feed externally on stems, leaves and buds. The larvae pass the winter in a stem. On salt-marsh Beta vulgaris is Sea Beet. Beetroot, Chard and Sugar Beet are also Beta vulgaris.
Identification: https://www.suffolkmoths.co.uk/micros.php?bf=8195 for Scrobipalpa identification. This species can usually be identified from the appearance of the moth.
https://mothdissection.co.uk/species.php?Tx=Scrobipalpa_ocellatella for genitalia dissection.  | Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required. | |
| Mine: Either the leaf or a good photograph required | |
Recorded in 34 (59%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1936.
Last Recorded in 2024. |