Bedstraw Hawk-moth - Hyles gallii
Geometridae : Larentiinae
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Eulithis mellinata
Photo © Antony Wren,  Carlton Marshes

Eulithis mellinata Eulithis mellinata

Immature stages
Eulithis mellinata

Similar Suffolk Species
Chevron
Eulithis testata
Eulithis testata
Barred Straw
Gandaritis pyraliata
Gandaritis pyraliata
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Spinach
Eulithis mellinata

(Fabricius, 1787) 1757 / 70.092

Morley's Final Catalogue: Generally distributed, and usually frequent. Copdock, Ipswich, Swefling, Farnham, Aldeburgh, Beccles, Gorleston; Stowmarket, Bury, Tuddenham.

Recent Suffolk Status: Becoming scarce in recent times with more records coming from wet woodland sites rather than gardens due to the decline in fruit growing.

Life history: Single-brooded in one extended brood.

Identification: Northern spinach rests with wings held flat and has a darker cross band. Chevron rests either with wings folded over the back or laid flat. Barred straw has a narrower central band looking like 2 parallel V shapes.

Habitat: Gardens, wet woodland.

Recorded in 49 (84%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1940.
Last Recorded in 2026.
Additional Stats

< Northern Spinach | Barred Straw >

Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
12/06/2026125TM38 - Bungay/Rumburgh
02/06/2026125TM14 - Ipswich
30/05/2026125TM14 - Ipswich
21/06/2025125TM59 - Lowestoft
20/06/2025125TM14 - Ipswich
Show Details | 1990 to 2025 | 2000 to 2025 | Graph Key
Express Record Spinach
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Copyright © Lepidoptera UK 2026
   
Click Map for Details

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Forewing: 16-18mm.
Flight: One generation June-Aug.
Foodplant:   Black Currant, Red Currant
Red List: Vulnerable (VU)
GB Status: Common
BAP Status: Declining (Research only)
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2
 Immature Adult   [Show Flight Times]
     
Underlying maps using Digital Map Data © Norfolk Online Lepidoptera Archive - NOLA™ - Suffolk 2026. © James Wheeler - Norfolk Moths 2007 - 2026. Data © NOLA™ - Suffolk 2026
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