Brian Goodey in the Moths of Essex (2004) states that records by Reid (1916) from the Kelveden area were erroneous, corrected in The larger moths of and butterflies of Essex (Emmett & Pyman et al., 1984), and also notes an unpublished and unsupported report of an adult from Basildon on 9.vi.1997. He notes that the moth is found in many southern counties that support its foodplant, bilberry. This is a plant probably now extinct in Essex (with single record from Sunshine Plain Epping Forest, not seen recently 
) and this is also a very scarce plant indeed in the Kentish Weald. So the presence of Beautiful Snout at Canvey must be as a vagrant unless there is an alternative plant which occurs in the area. Is there anything that might be possible?
) and this is also a very scarce plant indeed in the Kentish Weald. So the presence of Beautiful Snout at Canvey must be as a vagrant unless there is an alternative plant which occurs in the area. Is there anything that might be possible?
Canvey Wick is certainly an astonishing place, representing an excellent example of 'brownfield' Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land habitat (who ever thought up that name for a UKBAP habitat!), and one which keeps turning up more rare invertebrates and many a surprise. The SSSI contains a range of habitats with support assemblages representing species associated with, for example, dune, coastal levels, saltmarsh, fen and scrub habitats. As well as the extensive dry grasslands on calcareous sand, brackish ditches with sea club-rush etc, there are extensive dry Phragmites areas, and it is possible to stand in some places and imagine one was at Minsmere.