Photo © Mike Wall

Gold Spangle

Autographa bractea

Checklist Number
73.018 [B&F: 2444]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Plusiinae
Genus:Autographa
Species:bractea
Authority:([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Common throughout much of northern Britain and Ireland and in the west from the Midlands down to Gloucestershire. Its preferred haunts are sheltered meadows by streams and woodland clearings in the hills; but it has wandering habits and may be found in gardens and light-traps far from its usual terrain (MBGBI Vol 10). Also recorded further south from Devon to Berkshire, where generally considered to be migrants from an expanding European population. In Hampshire there are two records, from Bournemouth on 19 July 1933, and Minstead on 26 July 1973. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 44-46 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on herbaceous plants such as Stinging Nettle, White Dead-nettle, Ground-ivy, Bilberry and Honeysuckle.

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
Totland (SZ38)18/07/2013oneRobert SaundbyAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Bournemouth (SZ09)19/07/1933oneAdrian ButterworthAdult
Minstead (SU21)26/07/1973oneSam Knill-JonesAdult