Crimson Speckled

Crimson Speckled - Utetheisa pulchella

Description

Wingspan 29 to 42 mm. This is a truly distinctive and attractive moth and is unlikely to be mis-identified or confused with any other species.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Although this is a distinctive species, it is a very rare moth in our area, so please provide good quality photographs to support your record.

Habitat

Encountered as a rare migrant species in Britain from North Africa and the Mediterranean. 

When to see it

Moths may turn up at any time during the summer or autumn, but most records are from the south of England.

Life History

Not known to breed in Britain at present, but abroad the larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants.

UK Status

A rare and sporadic migrant from North Africa and the Mediterranean. 2022 was a good migration year for this species with a corresponding increase in British records.

VC55 Status

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland (VC55). The record from Hicks Lodge near Ashby-de-la-Zouch in October 2026 was the first for our area since the 1880s.

Reference
72.034 B&F 2054

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured squares = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records