Photo © Mike Wall

Dingy White Plume

Merrifieldia baliodactylus

Checklist Number
45.034 [B&F: 1512]

Verification
Record will normally be accepted but photo evidence may be required - check with CMR if not sure of identity

Classification

Family:Pterophoridae
Subfamily:Pterophorinae
Genus:Merrifieldia
Species:baliodactylus
Authority:(Zeller, 1841)

Nationally scarce (Nb) on chalk downland and waste ground, mainly in the southern counties of England. In Hampshire restricted to the few areas of unimproved grassland at sites such as Oxenbourne, Stockbridge and Magdalen Hill Down. Recently recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first time since 1981. Wingspan 20-27 mm. Very similar to several other species of plume moth, from which separable only by dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds on stems of Wild Marjoram.

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)