72.081 BF2455 – Dark Crimson Underwing – Erebidae – Catocala sponsa
Dark Crimson Underwing – Erebidae – Erebinae – Catocala sponsa – colour code ••
STATUS – A new species for Derbyshire. A single specimen trapped at Shirland overnight, on 10th August 2023. Another amazing record for the county, as it only occurs as a breeding species in the New Forest, and otherwise is only occasionally recorded as a rare migrant. Classed as a Red Data Book category RDB3.
ID POINTERS – As the name suggests the hind-wing is a bright crimson that is crossed by a black thinnish wavy cross-band and a black border to the edge of the hind-wing. The upper forewings are dark and subtly marked with an intricate mottling of browns, greys and tawny spots and markings. There are, in each forewing, an obvious set of three whitish markings, which seem obvious. The shape of the black band on the hind-wing is characteristic. The wavy black stripe across the crimson hindwing is contorted into a deep W-shape. This is clearly shown in the first and second images.
FLIGHT PERIOD – On the wing August – September.
IMAGES – Images kindly provided by Nikki Mahadevan© – Shirland – August 11th 2023.
