Yorkshire Status: Local resident - formerly a migrant.

White-point was first found in the county at Spurn in 1997. It was not seen again until 2004 when large numbers were reported at Spurn in 2004 (13 records) and 2005 (28 records) with more further up the coast at Atwick and Muston. It was thought to be resident at Spurn though numbers were low until 2020. Since then it has become increasingly common. In 2022 there were 53 records of 78 moths from the core area in the south and east of VC61 with several inland records. Literature suggests that these should be migrants, but we thought they sounded far more like colonists. In 2024, we had 139 records of 252 moths from 42 sites and there is little doubt that they are now resident. Westerly spread is happening now every year. A moth at Ingleton in 2024 is well ahead of the line of advance and may have reached Yorkshire from a different direction . The main confusion species is Clay, and in the early days, many claimed White-points turned out to be Clay. Now the situation has altered and many late-flying Clays, when questioned, have been White-points! Clay is unusual after mid-August. The rate of colonisation has been exceptionally fast, and it will be interesting to see what happens in future years.

Recorded in 44 (22%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1997. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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