General comments:
Widespread but local resident.

A single moth caught at Bishops Stortford on 20 June 1954 by Clifford Craufurd appears to be the first Hertfordshire record (Bell, 1956) of a species that was first found in Britain at Dover in 1948. In a later article, Bell (1959) informs us that this was taken 'on a garage window in Rye Street' and continues by noting that 'this very rare moth was discovered breeding in a nursery garden at Colchester a few years ago, Sweet William being the foodplant'. He then reports that Craufurd had a further example in Bishops Stortford in July 1956, two in 1957 and two more in 1958 and that four were bred from Sweet William seed heads collected in his garden [Galloway Road, Bishops Stortford]. He adds, interestingly, that 'there is, incidentally, a nursery within 200 yards of his house where Sweet William is grown'. In 1959, Craufurd caught 13 examples between 12 and 30 June (Bell, 1961). One was taken at mv light in Stevenage on 22 June 1962, in which area larvae were 'common on Sweet Williams in gardens. 1964. 1965. 1966' (Jack Newton). At 2022, the moth is rather local in the two counties, but usually numerous where found.

Recorded in 30 (73%) of 41 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1930. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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