Yorkshire Status: Common and fairly widespread resident.

Drinker is widespread across low-lying parts of the county in damp grassy areas. Numbers appear to be fairly stable and the distribution has not altered in recent years. In good habitat, large numbers can sometimes be trapped, for example 76 on 24/7/2013 at Staveley NR. We receive a lot of records of the distinctive hairy larva.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Well distributed and often frequent on lower areas and recorded sparingly from rough, wet grassy places on higher ground, where the cocoons maybe found on grass stems. There has recently been some shift in range since it has only been recorded in the Harrogate district since 1970 and is now locally common at two sites (H&DNSR Rep. 1970-87). It has also become common at certain sites in the Wolds since 1980 (PQW). Recorded from all five vice-counties.

Recorded in 138 (69%) of 200 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1807.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats