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Hello all you moth experts.

I had a male Pale Brindled Beauty Phigalia pilosaria at the porch light tonight (ID confirmed), has anyone else heard of this species emerging so early? It's usually on the wing from January to March.

Felix.

I have never heard of a November record before. Correction: I've just looked in the Moths of Hampshire and the IoW. It says: very rarely before Christmas, but cites a record from Stoke Charity on 2.10.97!

Misha

Thanks Misha,

I saw that record too. Skinner states 'late autumn in mild weather', and it's certainly pretty mild.

Felix.

Well I recorded one on 12th December in 2006, but that is early definatly. This could show more signs of climate change

I see lots of PBB`S in Essex but never before Christmas, I dont suppose it means much in isolation but an interesting observation none the less.

Hi Piers,

As can be seen on the phenology graph here http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1926.php late November records in Hampshire are rare but not unknown. It only takes one caterpillar to pupate in a greenhouse or somewhere else unusually warm to result in a sighting of an early emergent adult, but it could also happen as part of natural variation in a mild autumn. One early pale brindled beauty a spring doth not make, to paraphrase the old saying!

Mike