73.009 BF2429

Tunbridge Wells Gem Chrysodeixis acuta

(Walker, 1857)

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Wingspan c. 35-45mm.

A rare immigrant species, most likely to be confused with Golden Twin-spot Chrysodeixis chalcites, although that species tends to be more golden and less bronzy in appearance, and has dark tips to the underside of the abdomen of the male, lacking in the present species.

There have been around 20 or so records since the first in 1870, mostly from southern coastal localities, and the illustration depicts one encountered on the Lizard, Cornwall, on 14 October 1995.

Abroad the species occurs in North Africa as well as the Canary Islands and eastwards to Australasia.