Hantsmoths

N. tertia is one of a complex of three species, alongside N. janthe and N. janthina, described in Mentzer et al, Nota lep. 14(1) and 14(3) and confirmed by DNA analysis in 2014. The present species was not considered to occur outside of the eastern Mediterranean, although was reported from Sweden in 2020. Global climate change is however impacting the distribution of many species and it may well be expanding its range. An abnormally reddish-coloured “janthe” was collected in Dungeness, Kent on 19 August 1992 and was subsequently re-examined in 2014: on genitalic dissection and external characteristics it has been confirmed to be tertia and becomes the first record for Britain.

N. tertia has a distinctly pale reddish-brown hue and has a broad hindwing border similar to janthina and the underside forewing pattern differs subtly to either of the species in the complex. Any reddish-tinted specimens in the complex are potential candidates (such forms are rare in janthe/janthina), and need separation on hindwing and forewing underside features and genitalic dissection (females being easier to differentiate than males). The article describing this discovery (Elliott and Wilson, Ent Rec 134, pp 215-219) should be consulted for identification guidance.