Yorkshire Status: Rare resident.


This species was known to Porritt who noted it from Askham Bog and Scarborough in the 19th century, but it then seemed to retreat further south. The main distribution is in southern England, East Anglia and Wales but there are outlying populations in Cumbria and southern Scotland. There are also records in the last ten years from Lincolnshire and from Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire so it is the sort of species we might have expected to turn up in the south of VC63. Instead, it was found in VC62 at Pexton Bank Wood in 2022 with further records in 2023 from the same area, so we evidently have a resident population there. There was also an unconfirmed record from Spurn in 2022, but we have had claims of this species before which have proved to be wrong. The question is how long has it been there? Is it a new arrival or has it been lurking there undetected? There are no known populations anywhere near.

Its scientific name gives a clue to its strange “double” hindwing – Pterapherapteryx means “wing carrying a wing” and sexalata means “six-winged”. This extra lobe is a feature shared with Seraphim Lobophora halterata whose scientific name (“lobe bearing dumb-bell”) refers to the same feature. Taxonomically its closest relatives are Seraphim and Yellow-barred Brindle but it is most usually confused with some of the carpet moths particularly Twin-spot Carpet. In fresh specimens the markings however are usually distinct enough for a firm identification. It flies in June and July and should be looked for in damp woodland, marshes and fens wherever sallows grow. It does occasionally also feed on white willow.

Recorded in 3 (2%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1883. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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