Gold Swift - Phymatopus hecta
Wingspan 22 to 33 mm.
Occupying a range of grassy and open areas especially where bracken is present.
The adults fly in June and July, from dusk onwards.
The female deposits the eggs in flight, and the larvae feed on bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), mainly internally until fully grown, when they feed on young shoots.
Locally distributed throughout Britain and Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant).
AJ Cann
Charley regeneration field
02 June 2019
davidwright
Bagworth Heath Woods
08 June 2022
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Species profile
- Common names
- Gold Swift
- Species group:
- Moths
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Hepialidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 5
- First record:
- 06/07/1948 (Wesley, Isaac)
- Last record:
- 11/06/2023 (Green, Dale)
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