Yorkshire Status: Very rare migrant/wanderer.

This species was formerly confined to south-western coastal areas of the UK, but in the 1980s began to expand north and east, with scattered records round the coast of East Anglia soon after 2000. In 2004 a moth appeared at Spurn, with one more the following year. There was then a long gap, but another moth turned up in 2019 and there have been regular records ever since, with a peak of five records of six moths in 2024. There have been no records further north. Initial moths were assumed to be migrants, but the pattern seems more suggestive of moths initially being wanderers from East Anglia and now perhaps they are settling down to breed. Time will tell.

We receive quite a few records of this species from other sites, but all so far have proven to be the rather similar Marbled Beauty. Take care not to confuse these two - concentrate on the inner cross line, which goes all the way across the wing of Marbled Beauty but stops half way in Marbled Green. Both species are lichen-feeders and like virtually all lichen-feeders are doing very well in the UK. They both prefer lichens growing on rocks and walls, but perhaps Marbled Green prefers salt-tolerant lichens as it is happier in a maritime setting.

	Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 2 (1%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 2004. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

Exit Recorder