Yorkshire Status: Thinly distributed or restricted resident.

This attractive species may have been more widespread in the past as the Atlas suggest that it has been lost from many areas. In Yorkshire however it appears to be doing well in upland areas and on our lowland heaths. Most records are of the males which fly by day, but occasionally females are caught in moth traps. A major increase in numbers in recent years is almost totally due to the availability of a pheromone lure. On a sunny afternoon at the right time of year this can be spectacularly effective, and counts of up to 75 adult males have been recorded, though counts are more commonly in single figures. Moths seem to be able to detect the pheromone even when the recorder has packed it away, as traces must remain on hands and clothing, and a subsequent walk across the moors can make one feel like the Pied Piper pursued by a merry throng of moths.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Frequent on many moors and heaths in vice-counties 62 to 64. It reappeared on Skipwith Common (VC61) in the 1970s and a male assembled to a female there on 5.5.1987 (SMJ). The only other VC63 record is from Allerthorpe Common, where males were found to be frequent on 20.5.1984 (PQW). There are only occasional records from VC65, but it is almost certainly present in fair numbers in suitable localities.

Recorded in 100 (50%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1880. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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