Yorkshire Status: Common and widespread resident.

Satellite has probably always been a common moth in Yorkshire. "Common everywhere" wrote Porritt in 1907, and not a lot has changed, as we tend to get about 200 records per year. This is an over-wintering species, being on the wing from September to November and then, after its winter diapause, from February to April. Slightly bigger numbers are seen in Spring. This is predominantly a woodland species, the larvae feeding on a wide variety of broad-leaved trees, but it is frequently seen in other habitats including gardens. The red-spotted and white-spotted forms are equally common. Counts can sometimes reach double figures, the maximum being 32 on 23/3/2001 at Elland. It is an easy moth to identify, its name referring to the two small moons orbiting the reniform stigma.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Locally quite common in broad-leaved woodland and parkland. This species flies in mild weather over the winter months so it is rather sparsely recorded due to lack of trapping at this time of year. Found in all five vice-counties.

Recorded in 141 (71%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1845. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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