Species Account

Select species and region:

Distribution

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Common

Local Status: Uncommon and thinly distributed resident.

Local Record: Grade 3 See here for explanation

Flight time: Sep-Nov, hibernates to following Spring.

Forewing: 17-19mm

Foodplant: Oak

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	1891	1985	1891
Year last recorded	2011	2011	2011
Number of records	547	74	1242
Number of individuals	687	103	1580
Unique positions	122	6	256
Unique locations	98	6	208
Adult records	500	74	1148
Immature records	0	0	0

For the region, we have a total of 1242 records from 208 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1891.

Photos

Species Account

For further information refer UK Moths.

Davey, P., 2009: A species found in southern Britain, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.), and abroad also on blackthorn (Prunus spp.), sallow (Salix spp.), elm (Ulmus spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.). The moth hibernates overwinter and pairs during the spring. It is attracted to light traps and is occasionally found at ivy blossom in the autumn or at sallow blossom during the spring. In Dorset, the moth is at low density in deciduous woodland with highest numbers from old oak woods. However, records from districts where oak is absent suggests an alternative food source is used. For example, the moth has been observed regularly at West Bexington and at Shapwick where blackthorn is frequent, and this may be the host foodplant in these localities. The adult occasionally emerges from hibernation during mid-winter mild spells.

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