Species Account
Distribution
Summary Data
Season (Adult / Immature):
|
National Status: Common Local Status: Uncommon and thinly distributed resident. Local Record: Grade 1 See here for explanation Flight time: One generation, Aug-Nov, (Mar-Jun after hibernation). Forewing: 19-23mm. Foodplant: Willows, Aspen and poplars. |
Record breakdown:
VC9 | VC11 | Region | |
---|---|---|---|
Year first recorded | 1905 | 1983 | 1905 |
Year last recorded | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 |
Number of records | 881 | 118 | 1998 |
Number of individuals | 979 | 185 | 2328 |
Unique positions | 164 | 13 | 354 |
Unique locations | 140 | 12 | 304 |
Adult records | 742 | 115 | 1714 |
Immature records | 11 | 3 | 28 |
For the region, we have a total of 1998 records from 304 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1905.
Photos
Species Account
For further information refer UK Moths.
Davey, P., 2009: A widespread species in England and Wales, but local in Scotland, the larva feeding on sallow and willow (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is widespread and frequent, increasing to common locally, in sallow-rich damp habitat. "The insect seems to be uniformly dispersed in the county and though frequent, never abundant, though occasionally it may be found in small groups in caves. It is, however, an insect whose habits and beauty cause it to be more frequently noticed than many commoner species." (W Parkinson Curtis manuscript). In Dorset, the moth is double brooded, with a discrete generation between early July and mid-August. The peak of the summer brood is more than twice as large on average, than that of the winter brood. Post-winter numbers are roughly six times larger on average than those observed during the autumn, and a significant spring emergence is suspected.
See background to species accounts. Index of Vernacular names - Search - Random Species