Psamathocrita argentella
Checklist Number35.063 [B&F: 0750a]
Verification
Record requires retention of specimen until confirmed, and may require dissection. Consult with CMR if unsure
Classification
| Family: | Gelechiidae |
| Subfamily: | Anomologinae |
| Genus: | Psamathocrita |
| Species: | argentella |
| Authority: | Pierce & Metcalfe, 1942 |
Vulnerable (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) and endemic to the British Isles, frequenting salt-marshes in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Sussex and Dorset. First discovered near Southampton Water in 1937, feared lost when the original site was destroyed in 1971, but rediscovered on a saltmarsh near St Helen's, Isle of Wight in 1973 and now known from several locations in and around the region, including Farlington Marsh and Hayling Island. Wingspan 10-11 mm. Easily mistaken for one of the Coleophoridae, identification often requires dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds on flowers and seeds of Sea Couch.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Larval | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
VC10 Isle of Wight
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Helens (SZ68) | 1973 | - | D W H Ffennell | Adult |
| Newtown (SZ49) | 12/07/1985 | - | Robin Knill-Jones | Adult |
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titchfield Haven NNR (SU50) | 01/07/1978 | - | Richard J Dickson | Adult |
| Southsea (SZ69) | 24/06/1983 | one | John R Langmaid | Adult |
| Hilsea Lines, Portsmouth (SU60) | 08/07/1983 | two | J R Langmaid, E C Pelham-Clinton | Adult |
| Sinah Common, Hayling (SZ69) | 13/06/1987 | - | J R Langmaid, D H Sterling | Adult |
| Southsea (SZ69) | 18/06/1989 | one | John R Langmaid | Adult |
| Southsea (SZ69) | 19/06/1989 | one | John R Langmaid | Adult |
| Southsea (SZ69) | 20/06/1989 | one | John R Langmaid | Adult |
| Southsea (SZ69) | 22/06/1992 | one | John R Langmaid | Adult |
| Hook Lake NR (SU40) | 17/06/1994 | one | Richard J Dickson | Adult |
| Hayling (SZ69) | 22/06/2001 | - | J R Langmaid, I R Thirlwell | Adult |
| Southsea (SZ69) | 24/06/2001 | one | John R Langmaid | Adult |
| Hayling (SZ69) | 22/07/2001 | - | J R Langmaid, I R Thirlwell | Larval |
| Eastney (SZ69) | 02/08/2001 | - | J R Langmaid, M R Young | Larval feeding signs |
| Farlington Marshes HIWWT NR (SU60) | 15/08/2001 | - | J R Langmaid, I R Thirlwell | Larval |
| Sinah Common, Hayling (SZ79) | 28/08/2001 | - | John R Langmaid | Larval |
| Sinah Common, Hayling (SZ69) | 28/08/2001 | - | John R Langmaid | Larval |
| Eastney (SZ69) | 10/09/2002 | - | John R Langmaid | Larval |
| Sinah Common, Hayling (SZ69) | 24/07/2003 | one | J R Langmaid, M R Young | Larval |
| Eastney (SZ69) | 02/09/2003 | - | J R Langmaid, D J L Agassiz | Larval |