Distribution and Abundance: Common.

Primary Habitat: Woodland.

Flight Period: Single brooded in April and May.

Observations: The Fineshade Rothamsted light trap running in woodland in the 1990’s produced a total of thirty-three moths, three of which were the melanic ab. hirschkei. I have found the melanism at Grafton Park Wood and Geddington Chase to be rather greater than this. The species was found to be particularly common in Hazelborough Forest on 31 March 2007 when 107 moths were seen.

L.O.N.: 1907. Many localities. Rather common.

First Record: 1902, Victoria County History.