73.081 BF2309

Latreille's Latin Callopistria latreillei

(Duponchel, 1827)

[Synonyms: Methorasa latreillei]

---

Wingspan c. 25mm.

The first confirmed record of this species in Britain was trapped at light in Dover, Kent, on 27 October 2006. There had been a prior record of the species from the mid 19th century, resulting in its placement on the British list, but there was some uncertainty to its authenticity.

Some of the photographs shown depict an individual that landed on a whale-watching 'pelagic' boat trip to the Bay of Biscay, some 80 miles south of Ireland. In October 2013, one was trapped (illustrated) by Malcolm Phillips in East Sussex.

The species occurs in continental Europe, and frequents rocky limestone slopes with deciduous woodland. There are two generations, flying from May to October.

The moth has a distinctive yellowish-ochre 'dart' near the tip of the forewing, though this can be hard to see on worn specimens.