Species Account
Distribution
Summary Data
Season (Adult / Immature):
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National Status: Common Local Status: Scarce and thinly distributed or restricted resident. Local Record: Grade 2 See here for explanation Flight time: One generation, Jun-Aug, (Sep). Forewing: 17-20mm. Foodplant: Delphiniums and Larkspur. |
Regional breakdown:
VC61 | VC62 | VC63 | VC64 | VC65 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year first recorded | 1929 | 1901 | 1926 | 1957 | 1979 |
Year last recorded | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 |
Number of records | 76 | 43 | 127 | 223 | 12 |
Number of individuals | 48 | 24 | 110 | 251 | 13 |
Unique positions | 27 | 21 | 39 | 63 | 3 |
Unique locations | 30 | 22 | 40 | 65 | 3 |
Adult records | 65 | 33 | 110 | 203 | 12 |
Immature records | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
For the county, we have a total of 481 records from 160 sites. First recorded in 1901.
Photos
Species Account
Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: First recorded in Yorkshire in 1901 (YNU, 1970 suppl.), this species became quite widespread in suburban areas but seems to have declined again slightly. Recorded quite frequently from all five vice-counties but rare away from gardens. In Meanwood, Leeds (VC64) larvae were found on Delphiniums only a year after being grown from seed, a rapid colonisation! (GB pers. comm.).
2012 (CHF): Not a common moth in the county with about ten records per year, virtually all from gardens growing delphiniums. Almost all records are of single moths. There are surprisingly few records of larvae on the database. Occasional records in September are suggestive of a partial second generation.
See background to species accounts. Index of Vernacular names - Search - Random Species