Yorkshire Status: Very common and widespread resident.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Widely distributed and often common in all five vice-counties. The larvae feed on most trees, and are also particularly fond of garden roses! (AMRH). The melanic form f. carbonaria (Jordan) is most common over much of the County, only a small percentage of moths being f. insularia (Thierry-Meig) and the type. In only a few areas, for instance Sedbergh (west VC65) are these latter forms most frequent (J. Mounsey per FBS). However, a few more do seem to be appearing in some other areas over the last few years.

Beaumont, 2002: VC61. Spurn, since 1998 most have been the typical form, prior to that year there was a rapid change over about three years from the majority being melanic to the majority being typical (BRS). VC62. Hutton Rudby, a steady decrease in melanic moths over the past decade, from 70% in 1990 to 40% by 2000 (GWF).

2012 (CHF): Still widespread and common over the county. Since 2002, the melanic form has become even more uncommon whilst the intermediate forms (f. insularia) still occur in about the same proportion. In 2011, out of 466 records submitted, 14 were f. carbonaria and nine were f. insularia.

Argus 78, 2012: It is worth noting that the melanic (carbonaria) form of Peppered Moth has been slowly decreasing in recent years. There were just six moths reported in 2016 out of a total of 859 individuals so the incidence has dropped below 1% for the first time. Ten years ago the incidence was 10%. The intermediate (insularia) form has also decreased with only three reported last year.

Recorded in 171 (86%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1845. Last Recorded in 2022. Additional Stats

Exit Recorder