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, Jan-Feb.

Forewing: 14-17mm.

Foodplant: Blackthorn, Hawthorn.

Regional breakdown:

 VC61VC62VC63VC64VC65
Year first recorded19041883188318831883
Year last recorded20142014201420152015
Number of records48524874464155
Number of individuals459446752114219
Unique positions5048367316
Unique locations5248377314
Adult records47623664423151
Immature records02030

For the county, we have a total of 1426 records from 224 sites. First recorded in 1883.
 

Photos

70.282 Early Moth 03 female
© Dave Shenton
70.282 Early Moth 02
© Dave Williamson, 13 Jan 2011
70.282 Early Moth 01
© Charles Fletcher, 18 Jan 2004

Species Account

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: There are thinly scattered records from all five vice-counties but the lack of records is probably due to the flight period of this moth being in January and February when few traps are run regularly. However, the larvae may often be found on hawthorn and blackthorn hedges in April and May.

2012 (CHF): Common across all five vice-counties, probably more than the records suggest as few people trap so early in the year. No apparent changes in numbers or range.
 

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