Yorkshire Status: Common and widespread resident.

This attractive moth is common all over the county wherever ragwort grows. The distinctive orange and black larvae are sometimes reported in large numbers especially in 2006 where there were several counts of over 1000. Adults are frequently seen by day and also come to light in good numbers. Although it only has a single brood, the flight period is very long, and moths have been seen on the wing from 28th March up to 10th September, so it is common to see the adults at the same time as the larvae. Our population seems to be thriving and numbers are stable.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Locally common on the coast where the familiar striped larvae may be found in great numbers on ragwort. Inland there are fewer records but it is still found locally in all five vice-counties where ragwort is abundant. In Rotherham larvae have also been reported feeding on coltsfoot (per WAE).

Recorded in 169 (85%) of 200 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1846.
Last Recorded in 2023.
Additional Stats