Photo © Mike Wall
Vestal
Rhodometra sacraria
Checklist Number70.038 [B&F: 1716]
Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)
Classification
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Subfamily: | Sterrhinae |
| Genus: | Rhodometra |
| Species: | sacraria |
| Authority: | (Linnaeus, 1767) |
Immigrant from southern Europe, appearing most frequently on the south coast, but north to northern Scotland, in some years arriving in sufficient numbers to breed. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight a common immigrant, which is widely distributed throughout in some years. Wingspan 22-28 mm. Home-bred individuals duller than immigrants, and it is these that most closely resemble Straw Belle Aspitates gilvaria, but Vestal is smaller and rests with tent-like resting posture, while Straw Belle is usually speckled. Larva feeds on Knotgrass, but unable to over-winter in significant numbers.
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)
