Yorkshire Status: Very common and widespread resident.

In 1907 Porritt noted that Barred Straw was "widely distributed and moderately common" and this still seems to be an accurate description in Yorkshire, though in recent years there has been a reduction in numbers. Larvae feed on bedstraws, particularly common cleavers, so it is a moth of scrubby areas, hedgerows and gardens. It has an unusual resting posture, though Spinach at times can pose in the same way.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Now common to abundant in many lowland areas, especially of VC64 but less common on higher ground. The foodplant (cleavers), is common in hedgerows alongside arable fields but dies out if grazed so the moth is mainly associated with arable farming and smaller scale cultivation (PQW). Recorded over all five vice-counties.

Recorded in 172 (86%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1883. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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