Species Account
Distribution
Summary Data
Season (Adult / Immature):
|
National Status: Common Local Status: Fairly common and widespread resident. Local Record: Grade 1 See here for explanation Flight time: One generation, Sep-Nov. Forewing: 17-20mm. Foodplant: Hawthorns, Blackthorn, Dog-rose, Crab Apple. |
Record breakdown:
VC9 | VC11 | Region | |
---|---|---|---|
Year first recorded | 1905 | 1987 | 1905 |
Year last recorded | 2011 | 1987 | 2011 |
Number of records | 1143 | 1 | 2288 |
Number of individuals | 3006 | 1 | 6014 |
Unique positions | 92 | 1 | 186 |
Unique locations | 80 | 1 | 162 |
Adult records | 981 | 1 | 1964 |
Immature records | 1 | 0 | 2 |
For the region, we have a total of 2288 records from 162 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1905.
Photos
Species Account
For further information refer UK Moths.
Davey, P., 2009: A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and hawthorn (Crataegus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is common amongst hawthorn and blackthorn, and locally abundant among blackthorn thickets on coastal undercliffs; it is largely absent from open heathland and scrub-free habitats. The industrial melanic, ab. capucina is seldom seen; "the variation in Dorset consists in the greater or lesser development of the iridescent green scaling, and in the colour of the pale subterminal area, which varies from cream colour to being strongly suffused mars orange. The most striking specimen I have taken is one with the subterminal area cream, and the residue of the wing so heavily clouded with fuscous as almost to obliterate the markings." (W Parkinson Curtis manuscript).
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