Bordered gothic moth (Heliophobus reticulata)

Bordered Gothic
Bordered Gothic

Bordered gothic moth fact file

Bordered gothic moth description

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyNoctuidae (1)
GenusHeliophobus

The Bordered Gothic moth has an attractive pale network-like patterning on the otherwise mottled grey-brown forewings. The hindwings are whitish-tan in colour, becoming darker towards the outer margins (1). A darker form (H. reticulata hibernica) occurs in southern Ireland (3).

Size
Wingspan: 3.5- 4 cm (1)
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Bordered gothic moth biology

A single brood is produced; the adults are active in June and July. Caterpillars are present between late July and September, and the overwintering stage is the pupa(1).

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Bordered gothic moth range

Since the 1960s, the range of this species has undergone a severe decline. It was once widespread in Wales and England south of Yorkshire, but is now believed to be in danger of extinction. In recent years, records have been restricted to South Wales, Portland in Dorset, north Kent and the Breckland of East Anglia, but these have become increasingly infrequent since 1990 (4). It has been recorded throughout Europe and extends eastwards to Russia, Siberia, Japan and Asia Minor (2).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

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Bordered gothic moth habitat

This moth tends to inhabit open calcareous or sandy grassland habitats (4). The foodplant of the caterpillars is not known, but it is thought that the seedpods of bladder campion (Silene vulgaris), soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) and knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare) are likely candidates (2).

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Bordered gothic moth status

Classified as Nationally Scarce in Great Britain (2).

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Bordered gothic moth threats

The reasons for the decline of this species are not yet known (2).

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Bordered gothic moth conservation

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) has identified this species as a priority for conservation action. In addition to maintaining and enhancing all known populations, the plan aims to restore populations to five sites in the former range before 2010 (2). Research into the ecology of this species has been proposed; information resulting from this will hopefully guide suitable habitat management (2).

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.

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Find out more

Further reading on moths:
Skinner, B. (1998) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
Leverton, R. (2001) Enjoying moths. Poyser, London.

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Authentication

Information authenticated by Sean Clancy.

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Glossary

Calcareous
Containing free calcium carbonate, chalky.
Pupa
Stage in an insect's development when huge changes occur, which reorganise the larval form into the adult form. In butterflies the pupa is also called a chrysalis.
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References

  1. Skinner, B. (1984) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
  2. UK BAP (December 2001): http://www.ukbap.org.uk
  3. UK Moths (December 2001): http://cgi.ukmoths.force9.co.uk/cgi-bin/show.pl?id=666&bf=21530
  4. Sean Clancy (2003) Pers. comm.

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