Hepialidae

0015 (ABH3.001) Orange Swift Triodia sylvina (=Hepialus), (Linnaeus, 1761)

KR00063

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Small Example, Great Staughton
Small Example, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey, 14th Aug. 2020. Light trap.
Hemingford Grey, 14th Aug. 2020. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 20th Aug. 2020. Female (in situ where just mated)
Hemingford Grey, 20th Aug. 2020. Female (in situ where just mated)
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This moth flies later in the year than all the other swifts found in the UK.

 

Males are smaller and more brightly coloured than the females, with v-shaped white diagonal lines on an orange/brown forewing.

 

Flies from early dusk.

 

Pupates underground.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: M 12-18mm F 15-26mm.
Foodplant(s): docks (Rumex spp.), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), herbaceous plants
Flying: One generation, late June-early September
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Gardens, roadsides, woodland rides, downlands and moorlands.

Regional Information

Recorded in 114 (42.2%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2022

Recorded date range (Adult): 03 June to 28 September

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 11 June to 11 June

Similar Species
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Common Swift Korscheltellus lupulina (=Hepialus lupulinus)
Female, Carmarthenshire
Female, Carmarthenshire
 Photo © Martin Lovell
Map-winged Swift Korscheltellus fusconebulosa (=Pharmacis) (=Hepialus)


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
yellow, white, brown
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5