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Blackneck
Lygephila pastinum (Treitschke, 1826)
Erebidae: Toxocampinae
2466 / 72.063
Photo © Andy Nunn,  North Cliffe Wood VC 61

Similar Yorkshire Species: None
Forewing: 18-21mm
Flight: June - July
Foodplant:   Tufted Vetch
Red List: Near Threatened (NT)
GB Status: Common
Former Status: Local
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2

Yorkshire Status: Fairly local resident.

Porritt in 1883 described Blackneck as "local but usually plentiful where it occurs". There were no subsequent records until the 1960s and it remained a very elusive species with infrequent scattered records in the east of the county. The situation changed dramatically in 2009 when a build-up of the population in south Lancashire spilled over into Yorkshire, quickly spreading north and east over the next few years. This moth can now be found over much of the county, and we usually receive over 100 records per year. It is a moth of damp grassy areas with lots of tufted vetch. It is usually seen in small numbers but counts can occasionally reach double figures. In recent years occasional moths have been seen in September, suggesting a partial second brood.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Very local in eastern VC61 and VC62 but also now recorded from the south of VC63, the first from this area for many years. P. Q. Winter records larvae on tufted vetch and wood vetch.

Recorded in 120 (60%) of 200 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1858.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats

Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
04/08/2024162SE55 - York (N/W)
30/07/2024162SE65 - York (E)
29/07/2024164SE33 - Leeds
26/07/2024164SE27 - Kirkby Malzeard
25/07/2024164SE27 - Kirkby Malzeard
Further info: Lygephila pastinum
 
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