Species Account

Select species and region:

Distribution

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Common

Local Status: Fairly common and thinly distributed and restricted resident.

Local Record: Grade 1 See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation, May-Jul.

Forewing: 18-22mm.

Foodplant: Grasses.

IMPORTANT - Please note that the maps and accounts are provisional, subject to change and further update. The whole dataset still needs to go through the final verification process and it is likely that a very small number of records will not satisfy the present requirements and there are other records that have not been formally submitted. The information is for guidance only.

Record breakdown:

	VC9	VC11	Region
Year first recorded	1955	1975	1955
Year last recorded	2011	2007	2011
Number of records	670	42	1424
Number of individuals	1331	148	2958
Unique positions	144	7	302
Unique locations	115	6	242
Adult records	614	42	1312
Immature records	0	0	0

For the region, we have a total of 1424 records from 242 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1955.

Photos

Species Account

For further information refer UK Moths.

Davey, P., 2009: A generally distributed species in Britain, the larva feeding nocturnally on the flowers and immature seeds and later the foliage of various grass species. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and generally at low density, but although locally frequent in the vicinity of deciduous woodland, where for example false brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) and wood meadow-grass (Poa nemoralis) are potential host plants, it is rare on coastal grassland and on heathland. In Dorset, the moth is usually on the wing between early May and early July, but a partial second generation occurs occasionally during August. The moth has two basic forms; the darker of these two (see photo) is known as ab. combusta.

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