General comments:
Local resident.

This is a species that has increased its range within our area in the past 20 years. The distribution pattern in the 1980s reflected a moth confined to larger, continuous tracts of ancient woodland on Clay, where the larvae were supposed to feed on Peltigera canina lichen on trees. However, lichenologists tell me that Peltigera canina does not grow on tree trunks - the traditional foodplant has clearly been misidentified. Most Hertfordshire map dots represent new sites occupied since 2003 and most Middlesex dots are from 2008 onwards; it is entirely possible that the larvae have diversified to feed upon a wide range of lichens and also that a general improvement of air quality might have had a positive effect.

Recorded in 19 (46%) of 41 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1887. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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