Species Account

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Distribution

 
 

Summary Data

Season (Adult / Immature):

National Status: Common

Local Status: Uncommon and thinly distributed or restricted resident.

Local Record: Grade 1   See here for explanation

Flight time: One generation, Oct-Jan, peak late Oct-early Nov.

Forewing: 15-21mm.

Foodplant: Broadleaf Trees, Oak, Birch, Elm etc.

Regional breakdown:

 VC61VC62VC63VC64VC65
Year first recorded19041883188318831883
Year last recorded20142014201420142014
Number of records297590168956342
Number of individuals43915542183442767
Unique positions44554912426
Unique locations42564713025
Adult records290570159914333
Immature records00030

For the county, we have a total of 2353 records from 300 sites. First recorded in 1883.
 

Photos

66.001 December Moth 09 male and female (right)
© Nigel Harcourt-Brown
66.001 December Moth 08
© Nick Lawman
66.001 December Moth 07
© Andy Nunn
66.001 December Moth 06
© Jill Warwick, Oct 2010
66.001 December Moth 04
© Dave Williamson
66.001 December Moth 05 larva
© Charles Fletcher, 25 May 2011
66.001 December Moth 03
© Charles Fletcher, 10 Dec 2005
66.001 December Moth 02
© Charles Fletcher, 10 Dec 2005
66.001 December Moth 01
© Charles Fletcher, 1 Dec 2005

Species Account

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Widely distributed over all five vice-counties and most commonly found in well wooded areas. The late emergence of this moth means it is not commonly reported, but the larvae may often be found on tree-trunks in June.

2012 (CHF): Doing well across the county but curiously absent from the south-west despite there appearing to be plenty of suitable habitat.
 

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