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V-Moth
Macaria wauaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
Geometridae: Ennominae
1897 / 70.215
Photo © Ben Sale,  Fordham, Cambridgeshire (06/06/24)

Similar Herts & Middlesex Species: None
Forewing: 14-17mm.
Flight: One generation July-Aug.
Foodplant:   Black Currant, Red Current, Gooseberry.
Red List: Endangered (EN)
GB Status: Common
Former Status: Local
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2

General comments:
Extinct resident.

Widespread and common to the very end of the 1970s and then it suddenly crashed and disappeared. In the present century, there are only two reports - from East Barnet in 2004 and Wembley in 2009. There is no particular reason to doubt these records, although neither is supported by either a specimen or a photograph. We are not alone in losing this moth, which has declined drastically in both number and distribution across Britain. The main cause is popularly supposed to be the huge reduction in the number of domestic gardens and allotments growing Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) and Gooseberry (R. uva-crispa) coupled with an increase in garden pesticide use.

Recorded in 21 (51%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1884.
Last Recorded in 2009.

Latest Records
Date#VC10k - General Area
14/07/2009121TQ18 - Harrow / Wembley / Ealing
2004120TQ29 - Barnet / Finchley
1999120TL11 - Harpenden / Wheathampstead
09/07/1998120TL31 - Hertford
1996120TL31 - Hertford
16/07/1994120TL21 - Welwyn Garden City
1994120TL42 - Bishop's Stortford (N)
23/07/1993120TL42 - Bishop's Stortford (N)
29/06/1992220TL11 - Harpenden / Wheathampstead
12/07/1990120TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
Further info: Macaria wauaria
 
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