Species Account

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Distribution

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Local

Local Status: Scarce and restricted resident.

Local Record: Grade 3 See here for explanation

Flight time: Aug-Sep.

Forewing: 16-18mm.

Foodplant: Heathers

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	1935	1982	1935
Year last recorded	2011	2011	2011
Number of records	395	30	850
Number of individuals	1459	506	3930
Unique positions	54	6	120
Unique locations	48	5	106
Adult records	393	30	846
Immature records	1	0	2

For the region, we have a total of 850 records from 106 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1935.

Photos

Species Account

For further information refer UK Moths.

Davey, P., 2009: A local species throughout Britain, the larva feeding on heather (Calluna vulgaris), bell heather (Erica cinerea) and cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix). In Dorset, the moth is restricted to heathland and open pine woods where its foodplants grow. The typical red form has not been found in the county, and all specimens refer to ab. neglecta. The following individuals were trapped well away from heathland suggesting occasional dispersal: Scar Bank, at light on 26 August 1949, at sugar on 27 August 1949 (A Russell), St Albans Head, at MV on 20 September 1992 (P Davey), Durlston, three at MV light on 17 September 1982 (Dr J Clarke), and on 2 September 1991 (P Davey).

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