Feathered Ranunculus - Polymixis lichenea

Description

Wingspan 35 to 40 mm.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

This is a rare moth in our area.  Please provide a clear photograph and retain the specimen until species confirmed by the County Recorder.

Habitat

It frequents a range of dry habitats, including waste ground, sand hills and shingle beaches.

When to see it

August to October.

UK Status

The distribution of this moth is mainly coastal, in the southern half of Britain and north-west England and Wales, but very occasionally records do turn up in inland localities.

VC55 Status

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland. The Anstey record of 13th October 2022 only the second for VC55.

Reference
73.235 BF2255

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

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

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Feathered Ranunculus
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
5
First record:
13/10/2022 (Higgott, Mike)
Last record:
26/09/2025 (Garnett, Richard)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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