Yorkshire Status: Abundant and widespread resident.
This is our commonest moth. It is widespread all across the county in big numbers. Porritt in 1883 said "abundant everywhere" and not a lot has changed. Catches can be huge, and fill the moth trap to the detriment of other species. The maximum recorded on one night that we have documented is 3,000 on 3/8/1994 at Low Bentham. Numbers are swollen in autumn by immigration, particularly in coastal areas. It is easy however to become complacent, and species such as this should be monitored. Catches of over 1,000 have been less common in recent years, and large numbers tend to occur more commonly in upland and coastal areas. Several recorders in lowland parts of the county have reported reduced numbers recently. Watch this space. This is an aestivating species, so it usually emerges in June, undergoes a bit of a summer "hibernation" and comes out in big numbers when the summer cools down a bit. Most of the "Yellow Underwings" do this and interestingly often appear in numbers under Long-eared Bat roosts as they seem to prey on aestivating moths.
Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Undoubtedly the most numerous and widespread species in the list so far!' (PQW). This is one of the commonest moths in August, often abundant throughout all five vice-counties and often a nuisance in light traps. For example, on 16.8.1987, 1,852 moths of this species were trapped at MV light in one evening! (BRS) and W. Reid estimated a catch exceeding 3,500 individuals on several unusually productive nights in Sheffield in 1955 (Reid, 1955). This species exhibits a very wide range of colour forms but dark varieties are not particularly common.
Recorded in 184 (92%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1846. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats
This site requires necessary cookies to function correctly. We'd also like to set Google analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. These will be set only if you accept all cookies.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this will affect how the website functions.
Cookies Policy