Status
Morley's Final Catalogue: Extremely abundant everywhere from Bentley and Woodbridge to Beccles and Gorleston; imago sometimes extends into February, e.g. 1894.
Recent Suffolk Status: Abundant.
Life history: Single-brooded. Adults, including mating pairs can easily be located on tree trunks after dark. Often seen at lighted windows and flying in car headlights along country lanes, even on very cold nights.
Larvae are easily found on many trees and shrubs. Can cause complete defoliation on Oaks in some years. Primary food source for many nesting birds in the spring.
Identification: Northern winter moth is larger, lighter in colour, silky textured and the hindwings show beneath the forewings. Female moths have small wing stumps with a thin dark band, unlike the broad band of Northern winter. Female Spring usher have barely any wing stumps and are usually very dark in colour.
Habitat: Various habitats including gardens.Recorded in 52 (90%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1940.
Last Recorded in 2024. |