Species Account

Select species and region:


Distribution

 
 

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Common

Local Status: Abundant and widespread resident.

Local Record: Grade 1   See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation, May-Jul.

Forewing: M 11-16mm. F 15-20mm.

Foodplant: Grasses, Herbaceous plants.

Regional breakdown:

 VC61VC62VC63VC64VC65
Year first recorded19291930184619401969
Year last recorded20142014201420142015
Number of records502578811731526284
Number of individuals419421783299857871306
Unique positions15412918920231
Unique locations15311918221228
Adult records499076010961432279
Immature records20010

For the county, we have a total of 8796 records from 694 sites. First recorded in 1846.
 

Photos

0017 Common Swift 07 female
© Paul Holmes, june 2020
0017 Common Swift 06
© Nick Lawman
0017 Common Swift 05
© Andy Nunn
0017 Common Swift 04
© Derek Parkinson
0017 Common Swift 03
© Damian Money
0017 Common Swift 02 female
© Charles Fletcher 22 Jun 2001
0017 Common Swift 01
© Charles Fletcher 6 Jun 2001

Species Account

For further information refer UK Moths.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Widely distributed and often frequent or common throughout all five vice-counties, although numbers may vary considerably from year to year. The moth flies well before dusk low over grassy areas.

2012 (CHF): The commonest of the Swift Moths and widespread in all areas. The forewing marking vary considerably, especially in the male. The female is larger and greyer. Numbers are stable.
 

See background to species accounts.  Index of Vernacular names - Search - Random Species