Photo © Bob Chapman
Scar Bank Gem
Ctenoplusia limbirena
Checklist Number73.005 [B&F: 2430]
Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification
A generally scarce and sporadic immigrant (with 40+ records to 2026) from Canary Islands and North Africa that has occurred between June to October; the annual peak of at least 15 examples occurred in 2020, far surpassing the previous annual peak of just three, 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater (SZ38) | 26/08/1960 | one | Sam Knill-Jones | Adult |
| Freshwater (SZ38) | 18/08/1988 | one | Sam Knill-Jones | Adult |
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southsea (SZ69) | 10/06/1997 | one | John R Langmaid | Adult |
