B&F: 1982

ABH: 69.008

Status: Former resident.

Distribution and Abundance: Very local.

Primary Habitat: Grassland.

Flight Period: Single brooded in May and June.

Localities: Harlestone Heath, Ashton Wold, Bedford Purlieus and Castor Hanglands.

Observations: Apart from the first record, L.O.N. and a 1919 record from Helpston by S. Dodson there are no precisely dated records, however it is apparent that the species was last seen at the localities mentioned above many years ago and probably before the Second World War. Writing in his unpublished paper, “The Lepidoptera of Castor Hanglands and Ailsworth Heath 1911 – 1960,” R. E. M. Pilcher stated, “I have never seen this insect at Castor, although I have seen it at Bedford Purlieus. The Mellows took occasional specimens at Castor.” By, “The Mellows,” he means W. T. & Col. Mellows, the latter was certainly actively recording there in the 1920’s, but both were deceased by the early 1960’s.

L.O.N.: 1907. Near Castor, Peterborough District. Not common.

First Record: 1842, near Towcester, Clark.