The descriptive text, below the map, is from the Cornish Red Data Book (2009). The map on this web page depicts the organisms distribution and shows the records made pre-2000 and those made since.
Range & Status
Previously thought to be a rare migrant to Britain, although resident in the Channel Isles (Heath & Emmet, 1983). Now known to be breeding on the south Devon coast since 1990 (Dobson, 1991), although not west of Dartmouth (McCormick, 2003), Dorset and possibly Cornwall. Previous records thought to be of migrants could refer to resident populations. Abroad it is a Mediterranean-Asiatic species; it is continuously brooded in the Mediterranean region, but presumably bivoltine in Brittany.
Regional Distribution
Previously recorded at Boscastle (1943), St. Agnes in the Isles of Scilly (1962) and
Perranporth in 1987 (Smith, 1988), all considered to be migrants. Now recorded at
Boscastle where it seems to be breeding (this site could have been the origin for the 1943 specimen) and probably also on The Lizard.
Habitat & Ecology
The larvae feed on Pellitory Parietaria judaica , which is common near the sea in Cornwall. Bloxworth Snout is double-brooded. The autumn adults overwinter and seem able to survive in frost-free areas close to the sea.
Threats
Probably cold winters; collecting.
Conservation
None.
I.J. Bennallick, S. Board, C.N. French, P.A. Gainey, C. Neil, R. Parslow, A. Spalding and P.E. Tompsett. eds. 2009. Red Data Book for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 2nd Edition.Croceago Press.
The Cornish Red Data Book Project was led by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation for Biological Recorders (CISFBR). The full text and species accounts (minus the maps) are available on the CISFBR website.