B&F: 2068

ABH: 72.029

Status: Resident  

Distribution and Abundance: Local

Primary Habitat: General

Flight Period: Mid June, through July

Records: 29/6/2015, Silverstone (C. Trundle); 23/6/2015, Brackley (N. Jeffrey); 13/6/2014, Northampton (P. Sharpe); 11/7/2013, Hazelborough (P. Masters); 1992 Greatworth (T. Stokes); 23/7/1996 Cottesbrooke Park (P. Horsnail); 14/6/1990 & 2/7/2010, Wellingborough (D. Larkin).

Observations: Up until 2010, there were only sporadic records for this speices. Since this date, records have gradually increased, starting in the south-east of the vice-county. This was in-line with increasing reports at the same time from neighbouring counties, especially Bedfordshire and Warwickshire. From 2015 the moth was increasingly recorded from other sites across the county, as it apparently spread north-east. In 2017 the number of records finally reached double figures! Records are from mixed sources - daytime observation (of both adults and larvae) and light trapped adults.

Historic Notes (per John Ward): There is an unpublished note by Wallis on the Barnwell record in L.O.N. in which he says, “I am not positive whether the specimen indicated came from Barnwell as it was obtained by the woodman and not by myself.” A further entry indicates that a moth was reared from a larva given to Wallis by a Mr. Argent, presumably the woodman. Although doubtful, this is still the most likely indication of the moth being resident at that time in Northamptonshire.

L.O.N.: 1885. Near Barnwell. Once only.

First Record: 1902, Victoria County History.