70.069 (1749) Dark Spinach Pelurga comitata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Status
Resident. Scarce.
UK BAP Priority Species.
Flight period
History
Lennon (1863) stated that it was not common, but that it had occurred near Terregles (VC72). Gordon (1919) found it not uncommon in the garden, Corsemalzie, and on ragwort at Alticry, during July.
Next records were in 1972 at Sandhead and Portpatrick, Wigtownshire. Waterside Mains at Keir (VC72) was the only Rothamsted station to record it and all were in 1981.
It started to be recorded more from 1992, mainly Kirkton, Dumfriesshire, with Kirkcudbrightshire adding just three records and Wigtownshire four, during 1992-2010.
Life cycle
One generation. Overwinters as a pupa underground. Larvae are present September and October.
Larval foodplants
Larvae feed on goosefoots and oraches.
Identification
Dark Spinach is easily told from Spinach and Northern Spinach by the dot in the central cross-band, which the latter two don't have.
Habitat
Rough, disturbed ground including the coast.
Recorders' notes
This is quite a scarce species and care is needed to separate it. |  Distribution map displays records from the National Biodiversity Network (See terms and conditions). The following datasets are included:
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