Geometridae : Ennominae
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Large Thorn
Ennomos autumnaria

(Werneburg, 1859) 1911 / 70.232
Photo © Andy Bunting,  3r September 2023 Spurn Recording Area VC61

Immature stages

Similar Yorkshire Species
August Thorn
Ennomos quercinaria
Canary-shouldered Thorn
Ennomos alniaria
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Yorkshire Status: Rare and very local resident.

The first genuine record of this species in the county was in 1982. A previous record from 1884, documented by Porritt in 1904, is mentioned below in Sutton and Beaumont. The next moth did not turn up until 2001, but since then it has become regular in the Spurn area, in particular at Easington, and since 2020 good numbers have been trapped. In 2022 one surprisingly turned up further north-west at Skidby, and in 2023 one was found north of Spurn at Holmpton, so it appears to be consolidating its position in the county and starting to look for pastures new. It is a moth of broad-leaved woodland, so not the sort of species which would one would expect to be rampaging across the east of VC61 where there is little woodland. The Atlas tells us both abundance and distribution have undergone "severe declines" but this is at odds with what is happening in Yorkshire. Its main home is in the south-east of England, and our records are the most northerly on the map.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Porritt (1904) mentioned a specimen of this moth being found in Leeds market (VC64), but since it was thought to have been imported with produce there was doubt as to whether it should be added to the Yorkshire list. This problem was resolved when one was captured at Spurn (VC61) on 17 September 1982 by B. R. Spence, a definite Yorkshire specimen.

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 5 (3%) of 200 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1884.
Last Recorded in 2023.
Additional Stats

< Lilac Beauty  |  August Thorn >
Forewing: 21-28mm.
Flight: One generation Sept-Oct.
Foodplant:   Broadleaved trees.
Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT)
GB Status: Common
Verification Grade:  Adult: 3
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
21/09/2023261TA32 - Withernsea
16/09/2023161TA41 - Kilnsea / Spurn Head
14/09/2023161TA31 - Skeffling / Easington
13/09/2023161TA31 - Skeffling / Easington
11/09/2023161TA31 - Skeffling / Easington
  Immature   Adult   [Show Flight Weeks]
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
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