Photo © Bob Chapman

Scar Bank Gem

Ctenoplusia limbirena

Checklist Number
73.005 [B&F: 2430]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Plusiinae
Genus:Ctenoplusia
Species:limbirena
Authority:(Guenée, 1852)

Rare immigrant from Canary Islands and North Africa, appearing on 23 occasions up to 2018, from June to October, with the coast of Cornwall and the Scillies across to Dorset seeing the majority of individuals recorded. In Hampshire, one was trapped in Southsea on 10 June 1997, and the Isle of Wight it has turned up twice in Freshwater, in 1960 and 1988. Wingspan 38-46 mm. The most likely confusion species is Silver Y Autographa gamma, which has the silver spot differently shaped and lacks clear white markings elsewhere (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on a wide variety of plants, causing sufficient damage to be commercially important in native range, but no evidence of breeding in the UK.

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)

No Larval records to show.

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Freshwater (SZ38)26/08/1960oneAndy PageAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)18/08/1988oneGeorgina WillisAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Southsea (SZ69)10/06/1997oneSam Knill-JonesAdult