Davey, P., 2009: A species restricted to the southern most counties of England, occurring very locally on shingle beaches and on chalky cliffs along the coast, the larva feeding on the ripening seeds of nottingham catchfly (Silene nutans) and on sweet william (Dianthus barbatus). In Dorset, the moth is common very locally on the chalk cliffs of the Purbeck coast. Nottingham catchfly is a very local plant in the county, and tends to be restricted to the edges and faces of coastal chalk cliffs. The plant has also been noted at Corfe Castle, and the chalk strata along the length of the Purbeck Ridge may once have supported nottingham catchfly. Improved farmland now extends to all but the very edge of chalk cliff-tops in Dorset, for example at White Nothe, and so colonies of the host plant are unable to expand into new territory. The addition of broad unimproved grassland margins at the edges of the field systems that bound chalk cliffs would provide additional valuable habitat for the plant and therefore the moth. Unimproved grassland tracts exist on chalk cliff tops at The Warren, between Bindon Hill and Flowers Barrow, and between Ballard Point and Old Harry, sites owned by MAFF, the MOD and the National Trust, respectively. It is recommended that these agencies include nottingham catchfly in habitat management plans to protect them from overgrazing, trampling or premature grass cutting: White Nothe, four larvae in nottingham catchfly seeds on 15 July 1996 (Dr P Sterling, Dr D Pearman), larva in nottingham catchfly seeds on 22 July 1999 (D Green), at MV on 28 May 2003 (M Forster, P Harris), Arish Mell, two at MV on 31 May 2003 (P Davey), Shaggs, at MV on 28 May 2002 (M Parsons), East Lulworth, at MV on 12 May 1999 (M Parsons, D Green), Ballard Down, very many larvae in nottingham catchfly seeds on 1 July 1999 (Dr P Sterling, Dr D Pearman), two at MV on 29 May 2000, four on 2 June 2000, fourteen on 17 June 2000, six on 5 June 2001, four on 1 June 2002 (C Manley).

The moth is given to short to medium-range dispersal on occasion, the following light trap records refer: West Bexington, on 25 May 1997 (R Eden), Weymouth, female on 1 June 1979 (RWS), Church Ope Cove, on 28 June 1986 (D Brown), Preston, on 6 May 00 (P Knight), Bere Regis, on 7 May 1995 (S Barrett), Stonehill Down, on 19 May 1999 (Dr P Sterling et al), Arne Wood, on 14 June 1976, 25 June 1976, 21 September 1988 (B Pickess), Durlston, on 25 May 1992 (Dr J Clarke). The 1988 record is unusually late, and suggests a second brood individual from Purbeck as winds were light and southerly on the night in question.

This species is similar to Marbled Coronet2171. Diagnostics include: white markings restricted in the main to the immediate region around the reniform stigmata; centre of orbicular stigmata contains olive-brown ground colour rather than white.

	Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 13 (33%) of 40 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1976.
Last Recorded in 2019.
(Data up to end 2019)