Status and Distribution
Rare, restricted to several widely scattered locations to the south and east of a line from the River Severn to the Humber Estuary. Although discovered in Wiltshire for the first time in 2014, most records relate to sightings with a more easterly bias. Since 1990, the moth has been located in only four counties (Kent, Middlesex, Surrey and Wiltshire).
Recent research has found that the sole record from Hampshire relates to Gelechia nigra and not G. turpella (R. J. Heckford pers. comm.) casting some doubt on more westerly records, that was until the moth was found in north Wiltshire. Historically it has been recorded from two separate parts of North Somerset (VC6), Stawell (ST33) and Keynsham (ST66). The latter site, listed in Barnett, R. J. et al (2008) Moths of the Bristol Region, together with the recent north Wiltshire records, suggests the Keynsham records are acceptable. The more westerly site in Stawell is less certain and searches for a supporting specimen would be advisable.
