B&F: 1822

ABH: 70.154

Status: Resident.

Distribution and Abundance: Local.

Primary Habitat: Grassland.

Flight Period: Single brooded in May and June.

Localities: Yardley Chase, Salcey Forest, Pitsford Reservoir and Barford Meadows.

Observations: The species is almost certainly under recorded in the county. The moth is not greatly attracted to light and being small and fast moving is difficult to see in its day flight. It is more conspicuous when it rests with its wings open feeding on the flowers of its food plant, field mouse-ear and this is how I have usually seen it. In 1998 whilst gathering field mouse-ear at Barford Meadows to feed a small number of larvae of the species Derek Howton unknowingly increased his stock with larvae feeding within the gathered seed heads. This plant grows plentifully on Bradlaugh Hills & Hollows, but although the site has been well worked for caterpillars and moths it has not been found there.

First Record: 1946, Cooper.