Species Account

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Distribution

 
 

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Local

Local Status: Scarce and thinly distributed or restricted resident.

Local Record: Grade 2   See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation, May-Jun.

Forewing: 16-19mm.

Foodplant: Broadleaved trees.

Regional breakdown:

 VC61VC62VC63VC64VC65
Year first recorded18831807187418581943
Year last recorded20142014201420142014
Number of records82656418930
Number of individuals54713922650
Unique positions3734448411
Unique locations373646839
Adult records79614417729
Immature records021051

For the county, we have a total of 430 records from 211 sites. First recorded in 1807.
 

Photos

73.036 Alder Moth 06
© Andy Nunn
73.036 Alder Moth 05
© Tony Moverley, 1 Jun 2014
73.036 Alder moth 04
© Damian Money
73.036 Alder Moth 03
© Paul Holmes
73.036 Alder Moth 02
© Paul Kipling, 4 June 2010
73.036 Alder Moth 01
© Ian Andrews

Species Account

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Rather more local than either A. megacephala (Denis & Schiffermiiller) or A. leporina (Linnaeus). However, it is the only one of these recorded in VC65, albeit in the very south. (Note, however, that although Dunn and Parrack (1986) list the two aforementioned species for Northumberland and Durham, the present species has never been recorded in either county). Characteristically recorded once or twice a year over a period of several years, but nowhere reported to be common.

Argus 47, 2001-04:
VC65. High Batts, 16.6.1984 (SPW). NEW VICE-COUNTY RECORD.

2012 (CHF): Widespread in the county in small numbers but rather local - mostly in broad-leaved woodland, not just amongst alders. Numbers are fairly stable and we normally receive 20 - 30 records per year.
 

See background to species accounts.  Index of Vernacular names - Search - Random Species