Yorkshire Status: Uncommon and fairly widespread resident.

"Very common on all heaths" said Porritt in 1883. It is still a common moth wherever heather grows, both in the uplands and on lowland heaths. It is also seen in small numbers in other areas, including gardens, and it is likely to also feed on garden heather, though it also seems to have a tendency to wander. It is much less common in VC61. Counts of over 500 to light have been seen in VC62 (Fen Bog), VC63 (Norland Moor) and VC64 (Moughton) and there have been large counts from lowland heaths, particularly at Strensall Common. Numbers in the county are stable.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Recorded frequently from all five vice-counties wherever heather is found and quite often well away from suitable areas. The statement given by Goater (MBGBI 9) about even small patches of the foodplant in gardens supporting colonies has been found to be true in at least one part of the County and other suburban records support this.

Recorded in 158 (79%) of 200 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1880.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats