Species Account

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Distribution

 
 

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Common

Local Status: Uncommon and fairly widespread resident.

Local Record: Grade 1   See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation, May-Jun.

Forewing: M 21-22mm. F 27-31mm.

Foodplant: Broadleaved trees and shrubs.

Regional breakdown:

 VC61VC62VC63VC64VC65
Year first recorded19041883188318831976
Year last recorded20142014201420152015
Number of records598559409615153
Number of individuals5978636581097294
Unique positions11213413714426
Unique locations10413212814121
Adult records572542371559149
Immature records163683

For the county, we have a total of 2334 records from 526 sites. First recorded in 1883.
 

Photos

72.015 Pale Tussock 07 Larva brown form
© Nick Lawman
72.015 Pale Tussock 06
© Nancy Stedman
72.015 Pale Tussock 05
© Nick Lawman
72.015 Pale Tussock 04 larva
© Andy Nunn
72.015 Pale Tussock 03
© Andy Nunn
72.015 Pale Tussock 02
© Paul Kipling, 7 May 2009
72.015 Pale Tussock 01
© Damian Money

Species Account

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: In the 1970 list this species was described as 'not common' and few localities were given for it. It seems to have spread appreciably since and is now recorded widely, especially in the south and east.

2012 (CHF): Now common and widespread across the county except for the far north-west with an increase in numbers in the last ten years.
 

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