| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae |
| Genus | Gortyna (1) |
| Size | Wingspan: 42 - 60 mm (2) |
The race of Fisher's Estuarine Moth that occurs in Britain is subspecieslunata (3). Adults are generally pale orange-brown in colour, with dark and light spots on the forewings, and a dark band passing across the bottom of the forewings (5). The caterpillars are black with greyish stripes and a shiny, reddish head (5).
Fisher's Estuarine is a single-brooded moth. Active at night, adults can be found flying around or resting upon the foodplant (2), hog's fennel (Peucedanum officinale) in September and October (3). The overwintering stage is the egg, and caterpillars are present from June to August; they initially feed in the stems of the foodplant, but as they develop they then move to feed on the roots (2).
The threats facing this species include changes in land use, such as agricultural intensification. The foodplant is also a local species (3).
Fisher's Estuarine Moth occurs in one National Nature Reserve, and so receives a degree of protection at that site. It is also fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981; it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure, take or sell this moth, or to damage or destroy its habitat under this act (7). The species is also included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme.
For more on English Nature's Species Recovery Programme see:
http://www.english-nature.org.uk/science/srp/default.asp
Further reading on moths:
Leverton, R. (2001) Enjoying moths. Poyser, London.
Skinner, B. (1984) Colour identification guide to moths of the British Isles. Viking, London.
Information authenticated by Sean Clancy.
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Paul Waring
Windmill View
1366 Lincoln Road
Werrington
Peterborough
PE4 6LS
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1733 571 917
paul_waring@btinternet.com
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