Species Account

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Distribution

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Local

Local Status: Rare and very local resident.

Local Record: Grade 3 See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation, May-Aug.

Forewing: 14-16mm.

Foodplant: Bilberry. (possibly Heather)

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	1994	2008	1994
Year last recorded	2011	2008	2011
Number of records	48	1	98
Number of individuals	53	0	106
Unique positions	25	1	52
Unique locations	22	1	46
Adult records	47	0	94
Immature records	0	0	0

For the region, we have a total of 98 records from 46 sites. Earliest record on file is in 1994.

Photos

Species Account

For further information refer UK Moths.

Davey, P., 2009: A local species mainly confined to southern England and Wales, the larva feeding on bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). In Dorset, the moth was first recorded in 1994 and has been recorded from an increasing number of sites subsequently. The moths listed below have been found in or near old woods on sandy soils where bilberry occurs. The plant is local and associated with old woodland, and it is possible that the species has always been in the county, but has remained undetected: Yellowham Wood, on 26 July 1998 (S Barrett), two on 28 July 2001 (R Cook, D Humphrey), Puddletown, on 5 July 2000, 7 and 22 July 2002, 14 July 2005, 25 June 2006, 10 July 2006, 14 June 2007, 15 July 2007, 28 June 2008, 3 and 14 July 2008 (H Wood Homer), Oakers Wood, on 30 July 1994 (P Davey), Sares Wood, on 6 July 1997 (H Wood Homer), disturbed by day on 11 June and 23 July 2006 (M Forster), 13 July 1997 (M Forster), Bere Wood, on 9 July 1995 (R Cook), Holt Forest, three on 28 June 1995 (P Davey), 7 July 1995 (R Cook), Whitesheet, on 16 July 1998 (P Davey); Ringwood Forest, 2 July 2008 (R Goff), Verwood, on 7 July 2008 (C Court).

The following light trap records coincident with airflows from the Continent suggest immigration in recent years from France: Charmouth, on 30 June 2008 (G Sell), West Bexington, on 21 July 2000, 6 and 17 July 2006 (R Eden), Portland, on 5 July 2006 (M Cade), Preston, on 14 July 2006 (M Forster), Motcombe, on 3 July 2006 (P Butter), Wimborne, on 11 June 2007 (D and Mrs M Godfrey). Two west Dorset sites are far from bilberry-rich habitat, and the following light trapped singletons suggest a second, damp woodland biotype for the species: Monkton Wyld, on 15 June 2005 (O Woodland), Powerstock Common, at MV on 14 June 2004 (P Davey). If the species is resident at these sites, an alternative foodplant must host the species.

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