Species Account

Select species and region:

Distribution

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Local

Local Status: Uncommon and restricted resident.

Local Record: Grade 2 See here for explanation

Flight time: Two generations, May-Jun and Sep-Nov.

Forewing: 13-15mm.

Foodplant: Monterey Cypress and Leyland Cypress.

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	1905	1988	1905
Year last recorded	2011	2011	2011
Number of records	995	52	2094
Number of individuals	1432	59	2982
Unique positions	112	11	246
Unique locations	88	12	200
Adult records	960	50	2020
Immature records	5	0	10

For the region, we have a total of 2094 records from 200 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1905.

Photos

Species Account

For further information refer UK Moths.

Davey, P., 2009: A recent colonist of southern England, first recorded in Sussex in September 1984 and in the Channel Islands the following year, the larva feeding on monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa). In Dorset, the species was first recorded at Studland and at St Ives in late October 1988. The following year, eighteen moths were trapped at Durlston. Since this time the moth has spread west and north. By 1992 it had reached Portland, and by 1994, West Bexington. It was found at Preston, Upwey and Winfrith during 1997. By 1999 it had reached Sherborne, and the following year it had been noted in Dorchester. The moth is now well established along the south coast on monterey cypress and leyland cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii), and continues to appear in new sites across mainland Dorset wherever these have been planted as hedges, which tend to be in urban environments.

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