B&F: 1885

ABH: 70.206

Status: Resident and suspected migrant.

Distribution and Abundance: Very local.

Primary Habitat: Woodland.

Flight Period: Single brooded in June and July.

Localities: Bedford Purlieus, Castor Hanglands.

Observations:  As a definite resident in more recent years only recorded in the north of the county.  The decline of the English elm must have been partly responsible for its loss from some former sites.  The last Castor Hanglands record was in 1989 and it has not been seen there since despite much recording effort.  Old records suggest that Bedford Purlieus was always the best site in the county for the moth.  Although it was last seen there in 1987, little recording has taken place there since and the moth could well still be present. Earlier localities include Salcey Forest in 1975 and Grafton Park Wood in 1968.  In 2002 a singleton was recorded in Northampton and singletons were seen at Pitsford Reservoir in 2002, 2003 and 2004. As the moth is known to migrate, despite the repeated records, there is still some doubt as to whether there is a resident colony at Pitsford. A further singleton was recorded at Yardley Chase in 2006. Once again this is presumed to be a migrant.

L.O.N.: 1906. Mawsley Woods, Ashton, Yardley Chase, Weedon, Bedford Purlieus. Locally fairly common.

First Record:  1882, Hull & Tomalin.