B&F: 1991

ABH: 69.016

Status: Resident.

Distribution and Abundance: Common.

Primary Habitat: General Occurrence.

Flight Period: Single brooded in June and July.

Observations: Three caterpillars were seen on 15 August 2000 at Barford Meadows sunning themselves on rosebay willowherb at the traditional time of around 4 p.m. in the afternoon. Possibly due to the moth visiting honeysuckle for nectar, the caterpillar has spread into gardens where it feeds on fuchsia and when disturbed its startling appearance generates much interest. This has led to annual telephone calls as to its identity and to queries from the local press and radio.

L.O.N.: 1906. Barnwell Wold, Mawsley Wood, Weedon, Ashton. Not common.

First Record: 1842, Clark.