72.034 BF2054

Crimson Speckled Utetheisa pulchella

(Linnaeus, 1758)

---

Wingspan 29-42 mm.

A spectacular species, but unfortunately only a sporadic migrant to this country with around 100 records in the last century.

The species occurs naturally in the Mediterranean and North Africa, and most immigrants are presumed to have originated there. Moths may turn up at any time during the summer or autumn, but most records are from the southern counties or offshore islands.

Wild larvae have not been encountered in Britain, but abroad they feed on a range of herbaceous plants.