| Status:
Resident. Distribution: Local. Primary Habitat: Woodland. Flight Period: Single brooded in June and July. Localities: Salcey Forest, Barford Meadows, Fineshade and Bedford Purlieus. Observations: With its Red Data Book designation and greater number of sites in Northamptonshire than any other county this is probably our most significant moth. Originally it is likely that the species colonised damp woodland in the nineteenth century following the draining of the fens. Early records suggest that the influx was from the north-east, Rockingham Forest woodlands first becoming involved followed by those of Nasborough, Salcey and Yardley. After the advent of m.v. light traps in the 1950’s the moth was increasingly found to be locally widespread in these woodlands. It was prized by collectors and sometimes could be found commonly on the stems of its foodplant at dusk without the need to resort to light trapping. Since the mid 1990’s it has become less common and has not been seen in some former strongholds despite specific searches. Although the position is not yet clear, it seems that roughly a reversal of the original colonization is taking place in that the species is contracting its range and abundance north-easterly and that climatic factors may be involved. The moth has been more plentiful in 2004 and subsequent years, but is generally not back to its former levels of abundance. L.O.N.: 1907 at least two. Unspecified. First Record: 1886, A. Wallis. |
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