Yorkshire Status: Rare and local resident.

This rather enigmatic species is a buckthorn-feeder. Adults in the summer are only ever seen in small numbers, in fact apart from one record of two, all caught at light have been of single moths. This would tend to suggest that it is not strongly attracted to light. It over-winters as an adult in caves, tunnels, disused building etc. In the limestone Dales, quite astonishing numbers can be found in a small number of caves. The main cave, in Littondale, regularly attracts over 300. These are the biggest numbers seen anywhere in the country. Moths enter the caves in August and leave in April, so they are there for a large proportion of the year. A mark and recapture scheme proved that moths can fly at least seven miles to over-wintering caves. Exploration of other caves recently in the Dales has shown that there are many other smaller populations that we have been unaware of. Occasionally Tissue turns up in various odd places across the county, sometimes in areas where there is apparently no buckthorn.

	Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 61 (31%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1806. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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