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Lunar-spotted Pinion
Cosmia pyralina ([Denis & Schifferm?ller], 1775)
Noctuidae: Xyleninae
2319 / 73.217
Photo © Jax Westmoreland, 29 Jul 2010,  TA0189:Scarborough, VC62

Similar Yorkshire Species
Lesser-spotted Pinion
Cosmia affinis
White-spotted Pinion
Cosmia diffinis
Forewing: 13-16mm
Flight: July - August
Foodplant:   Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Apple, elms
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Former Status: Local
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2

Yorkshire Status: Very rare and very local resident.

Lunar-spotted Pinion is a moth of woodland and scrub, occurring mainly in the southern half of England. Occasionally it has been seen in Yorkshire. As records are few and far between, it is worth listing them all:

27/7/1983 East Ayton
2/8/1990 Haxby
28/7/2010 Scarborough
4/8/2011 Lund
7/7/2015 Spurn
10/7/2015 Spurn
15/7/2018 Spurn
03/7/2023 Alwoodley (Leeds)
16/7/2023 Spurn

These are the most northerly records in the country. The four records from Spurn will be wandering moths as it is unlikely to be resident there. The other records however are closer to typical habitat. It is not generally thought of as a migrant or a moth that wanders long distances, and it is quite possible that we have a small and rather elusive resident population. Perhaps it is not strongly attracted to light.

Recorded in 6 (3%) of 200 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1983.
Last Recorded in 2023.
Additional Stats

Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
29/07/2023161TA41 - Kilnsea / Spurn Head
16/07/2023161TA41 - Kilnsea / Spurn Head
03/07/2023164SE24 - Bramhope / Otley
15/07/2018161TA41 - Kilnsea / Spurn Head
10/07/2015161TA41 - Kilnsea / Spurn Head
Further info: Cosmia pyralina
 
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