Yorkshire Status: Local resident.

In the past this species was much less common in Yorkshire. In 1883 Porritt called it "a great rarity" but by 1907 remarked "appears to be getting commoner and extending its range". Since then it has continued to slowly increase in numbers, though the distribution has not altered a lot and it is still uncommon in northern and western areas. There are few records in counties to our north, and it is unknown in Scotland. This is a moth of broadleaved woodland but it will often come into gardens. The larvae will feed on various trees but have a particular liking for field maple and beech. It is usually seen in small numbers but in parts of VC63 and 64 counts can be in double figures, the most being 24 at Austerfield on 4/10/2018.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: There have been a few more records of this local species in recent years. Still most frequently found in the south of the County but it has now been recorded in both VC62 and VC65. This must be near the northern limits of its usual range in Britain, although odd records are shown into central Scotland on map 51 in MBGBI 10.

Recorded in 105 (53%) of 200 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1857.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats