B&F: 1797

ABH: 70.109

Status: Resident.

Distribution and Abundance: Unknown/under-recorded.

Primary Habitat: Woodland.

Flight Period: Single brooded in late October and November.

Observations: Due to the moth’s similar appearance to the November Moth (E. dilutata) and Pale November Moth (E. christyi), there has almost certainly been a confusion of records between the three species. They are all but impossible to separate with any certainty by wing markings alone and are only conclusively identified by the genitalia differences in the males (females cannot be separated as adults). Notwithstanding this reference to literature can sometimes resolve the matter, particularly having regard to habitat and flight time. The Autumnal Moth probably occurs wherever its foodplants Birch or Alder are well established. There are no records from the woodland Fineshade Rothamsted light trap in the eight years to 2000 although the moth certainly used to occur in the large area of birch less than half a mile away. This seems to suggest that the species does not wander extensively.

Confusion Species: Examination of male genitalia essential for ID. November Moth, Pale November Moth

L.O.N.: Unrecorded.

First Record: 1882, Hull & Tomalin.