Yorkshire Status: Rare and very local resident.

This moth of calcareous grassland has been lost from a lot of its haunts across the country, and until recently Yorkshire has been no exception. There are plenty of old records from the south of VC63 but it has not been seen there since 1980. This population was in contact with the north Derbyshire population so it is not impossible it might recolonise. It also seems to have been lost from the Wharram Quarry area of VC61 where it was last seen in 1999. This left the Flamborough colony where it has been doing very well. It is regularly reported from there, particularly at South Landing at security lighting but also in moth traps, and recently there have been some impressive counts. 11 were trapped at LED light there on 1/7/2022. This seems to have marked an upturn in fortunes. In 2022 it was found further inland at Fordon Chalk Bank at MV light, with another one the following year. This is a completely new site. Even more excitingly, one turned up in a garden on the northern outskirts of Richmond on 2/8/2022. The last Richmond record was in Porritt's lists in 1883. Surely it can't have been hiding in that area since then? Or can it! This is said to be a univoltine moth, flying from July to August according to our Field Guide. Flamborough however has provided five records in October and one as late as 10th November. These are always queried by the NMRS when we submit the records as it does not appear to be bivoltine anywhere in the country, but we've seen the photos so we know they are correct. Very odd!

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Formerly confined to the coast in Yorkshire. This species has moved inland slightly to an area in the Wolds but has not been reported recently from the Filey area. There are also some Sheffield records, presumably strays from the Derbyshire limestone areas of VC57.

Recorded in 12 (6%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1883. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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