Species Account

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Distribution

 
 

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Common

Local Status: Common and fairly widespread resident.

Local Record: Grade 1   See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation, Jul-Aug.

Forewing: M 21-25mm. F 28-35mm.

Foodplant: Coarse grasses and reeds.

Regional breakdown:

 VC61VC62VC63VC64VC65
Year first recorded19041807190718861976
Year last recorded20142014201520152014
Number of records3846698354527172
Number of individuals1135210907811481252
Unique positions15416014017919
Unique locations14814411813617
Adult records3778651284396172
Immature records502743910

For the county, we have a total of 5597 records from 563 sites. First recorded in 1807.
 

Photos

66.010 Drinker 07 female
© Nick Lawman
66.010 Drinker 06 larva
© Andy Nunn
66.010 Drinker 05
© Andy Nunn
66.010 Drinker 01
© Damian Money
66.010 Drinker 04 female
© Jax Westmoreland, 7 Jul 2007
66.010 Drinker 03 larva
© Charles Fletcher, 6 Oct 2001
66.010 Drinker 02
© Charles Fletcher, 13 Jul 2001

Species Account

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Well distributed and often frequent on lower areas and recorded sparingly from rough, wet grassy places on higher ground, where the cocoons maybe found on grass stems. There has recently been some shift in range since it has only been recorded in the Harrogate district since 1970 and is now locally common at two sites (H&DNSR Rep. 1970-87). It has also become common at certain sites in the Wolds since 1980 (PQW). Recorded from all five vice-counties.

2012 (CHF): Still fairly common in damp grassy areas and widespread across lowland areas of the county. Numbers are stable. The relief map shows quite dramatically how this is a moth of the lowlands.
 

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