Morley’s Final Catalogue: Taken in Suffolk (Steph. Illust. 1834, p. 169). An interesting, polyphagous species, first seen on 6 August here, but commonest all through September when it flies to Monks Soham light up to 17 October; never seen in the next month, but obviously hibernates as it has been beaten from conifers in Bentley Woods on 3 December, on 16 February, and right up to the very late 6 April in 1898 (Mly). Ipswich and near Thetford (Whit). Mildenhall.
Recent Status: A common species across Suffolk.
Life Style: Flies from mid-summer till early the following year. It is not clear if it hibernates. The larvae feed the year following the adult emergence on the buds and later from leaf spinnings of a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs.
Identification: The species has a characteristic wing shape with relatively narrow shoulders widening to an acute produced apex and concave termen. Variation occurs in the basic colour and the extent of the markings. There is generally some indication of the reticulate pattern but the colour can be yellow, grey, brown or deep red. The costal blotch if evident can extend across the wing. Recorded in 38 (66%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1898. Last Recorded in 2023. |