35.0205 Dichomeris acuminatus (Staudinger, 1876)

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Status and Distribution

Britain's first record came when one was attracted to a MV light trap on the evening of the 28th September 2016 in Walditch, Dorset. A second was found in the Isles of Scilly on 21st September 2018 (D. Grundy) and a third on 13th October 2018 on the Lizard, Cornwall (M. Tunmore). Since then, found on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly in September 2025. These records all support the suggestion that this is a migratory species.

National Status: Migrant
Bradley & Fletcher no: -
Dichomeris acuminatus
Photographer: © M J Parsons
Location: Dorset

Provisional map

NHMSYS0021168887

Imago

Dichomeris acuminatus Dorset, 2016 (Photo: © M J Parsons)  Dichomeris acuminatus Isles of Scilly 2018 (Photo: © D Grundy)

Pupa

Set Specimens

Dichomeris acuminatus, Dorset 2016 (Photo: © M J Parsons)

Foodplant and Larval Feeding Signs

In Europe the larva is thought to feed on various species of medick and clover, including Medicago sativa (Lucerne) and possibly also Trifolium repens and T. pratense (White and Red Clover). It is also believed to feed on Medicago x varia (Bastard Lucerne ).

Habitat

Unknown

Finding the Moth

 

 

As a migrant, it is most likely to be encountered at light along coastal and adjacent inland areas of southern Britain.

Similar Species

September

As a migrant to Britain the moth has only been noted, so far, in late September. In Europe it has been recorded in all months from March to October and occurs in France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and some of the western Mediterranean islands.