E. extimalis (Scop.) Mig., but res. 1968-1980. Sinapis and other Cruciferae. Now established and
loc. c., especially along the Thames estuary.
VC 18.48 Wanstead (CWP); Dagenham (IM); 57 Purfleet (AME); 58 Rainham (GSR; DJLA);
67 Gray Chalk Pit; East Tilbury; 68 Mucking, where the first resident specimens were taken on
25 July 1968 (Tomlinson, 1969); 78 Benfleet (HCH; DGD; AME); Thundersley (DGD); 88
Leigh-on-Sea (AME); 90 *Bradwell-on-Sea in 1962, a presumed migrant (AJD). VC 19. 23
Dovercourt, 1976 (MEA).
E. pallidata (Hufn.) Res., (1886)-1979. Barbarea vulgaris and other Cruciferae. Loc. f.c.
VC 18. 48 Wanstead (CWP); 59 Coxtie Green (PJW); 67 Grays Chalk Pit; 68 Mucking
(Tomlinson, 1969, 1970a and 1973); Laindon (HCH); 69 Ingrave (KWG); 78 Benfleet; 79
Rettendon; 88 Hadleigh; 89 Rochford; 99 Canewdon (HCH). VC 19. 30 Waltham Abbey
(DJLA); 92 West Bergholt, r. (VCH); 02 *Colchester (Leech, 1886; WHH).
Two subfamilies placed here on the British list are not represented in Essex:
the Odontiinae with one resident species, and the Glaphyriinae with one very
rare migrant.
Pyraustinae
A large subfamiliy of medium-sized to very large moths with their wing-shape
generally similar to that of the Evergestinae; the differences between the two
subfamilies are not apparent to the non-specialist. There is no constant trend of
colour or wing-pattern, though bright colours such as purple and yellow are
sometimes present, especially in Pyrausta spp. which fly in sunshine. Most,
however, are nocturnal, though they are readily disturbed by day. The
majority of the larvae eat the leaves of herbaceous plants from spinnings, but a
few feed in spun flowers or seedheads and one mines stems. Pupation generally
takes place in a cocoon above the ground. Of the 52 species on the British list,
about one quarter are migrant or adventive, several of them being very rare
visitors or even of doubtful authenticity; 32 members of the subfamily have
been recorded in Essex.
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