Distribution and Abundance: Rare.

Records: 7 July 2010 Kingsthorpe (P. Sharpe), 3 August 2010 Northampton (R. Gill), 23 July 2009 Woodnewton (N. Smith) and 9 July 2006 Westward (A. Parker).

Observations: The two 2010 records were of singletons taken in garden light traps as were the 2009 and 2006 records. Additional to these there were further records in the Peterborough area in 2010 and a large number of caterpillars were found feeding on prickly lettuce in the Northampton area.  It now appears that the species could have re-established itself in the county and that there is a likelihood that further recolonisation will take place. However this may be effected by the exceptionally cold weather during the 2010 winter. In recognition of this for the time being, until we see what happens, I have left the distribution and abundance categorisation as rare. Historically the moth was found in Northamptonshire with a number of earlier records. An 1882 record appears on a systematic classification of the lepidoptera that have occurred in the vicinity of Northampton. J. Northampt. nat. Hist. Soc. p.191 by Hull, W. & Tomalin, H. F., 1882-84. A further mention from the 1890’s is derived from a note in some unpublished material from this period by Eustace Wallis in which he describes the species as, “Not common” near Kettering in July. Additionally, “The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland,” by Heath, J., Emmet, A. M. and others, (1976-) Vol. 9, p. 227 shows the moth having formerly been reported from Northamptonshire and an open circle is entered in TF10. I have been unable to trace the source of this record.

L.O.N.: Unrecorded.

First Record: 1882, Hull & Tomalin.