72.069 BF2473 – Beautiful Hook-tip – Erebidae – Laspeyria flexula
Beautiful Hook-tip – Erebidae – Boletobiinae – Laspeyria flexula – colour code •
STATUS – In 1986 described as a rare vagrant in Derbyshire, with only two records. One in 1975 and one in 1983, the next records were four more in 2004 & 2005 and a single record in 2006. It still remains a rare species, only being found in one or two isolated colonies in the county.The increase in lichen, the larval food plant, growing on trees such as hawthorn, blackthorn, apple and larch, may well help the moth spread its range.
ID POINTERS – A small triangular shaped moth, that is attractively marked with greyish-brown and a dusting of purple or lilac forewings. The wing tip is hooked and the outer edge deeply scalloped. There are reddish-brown patches towards the wing tip and two cross-lines that are cream and bordered with reddish-brown and one along the outer wing edge. A tiny black spot in each wing central but close to the leading edge.
FLIGHT PERIOD – On the wing June – August.
IMAGES – Kings Newton, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Beautiful Hook-tip – October 8th 2013 – Kings Newton, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
Beautiful Hook-tip – 14th June 2004.
Beautiful Hook-tip – 2nd July 2005.
