Yorkshire Status: Local resident.

Satin Beauty was first identified in Yorkshire in 1974. Was it a new arrival then, or had it been lurking unrecogised for a while? We don't really know. It was found in decent numbers at other sites in the north-east of the county over the next few years but then in the 1990s records almost fizzled out. From 2005, numbers built up, and whilst there are now records scattered all over the county, most come from coniferous woodland in the east of VC62. If you are not familiar with this species, you might pass it over for a funny-looking Mottled Beauty, but as long as you have a male, the antennae are much more feathered. Also the wings are broader and the markings, although at bit obscure, are not really like those of Mottled Beauty or Willow Beauty. Dark forms often occur. Spread of this moth has undoubtedly been due to widespread planting of conifers, and it has colonised forestry plantations all over the country. Counts in woodland in VC62 can often reach double figures, but odd specimens sometimes turn up in gardens if there are conifers nearby.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: This species is easily confused with A. repandata (Linnaeus) and P. rhomboidaria (Denis & Schiffermuller). Its presence was not noticed in Yorkshire until some worn male specimens were recognised by S. M. Jackson by the form of their pectinate antennae at a trap run by W. Jagger near Pickering in 1974. It is now known to be quite widespread in north-east Yorkshire with occasional records from other parts of the County.

Recorded in 67 (34%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1964. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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