General comments:
Widespread but local resident.

Formerly called Pammene inquilana, the adult moth rarely leaves the cover of oak and is probably under-recorded for this reason.

Adult males come readily to artificial pheromone lures, in particular those sold as "MOL" and "FUN". Traps containing the lures should be tied to the epicormic growth of a main trunk, or to lower twigs/small branches of smaller deciduous oak trees at a height between 1 and 2 metres above the ground (other heights may work too - if you have data please tell us). Extensive survey work in Hertfordshire during late March 2025 suggests that the moths come most rapidly if the lures are suspended in direct sunlight, arriving often within a few seconds. Although this species might still be overlooked in some places because it has an early flight period, during the last week of March 2025 we caught adult males at every lure set in the manner described above - with zero failures!

CAUTION: Beware of the similar looking males of Pammene argyrana - also on deciduous oak early in the year. Overall the wing patterns are usually sufficiently different to allow recognition, but the clincher is that on the HIND wing Pammene argyrana has a black strip both fore and aft, whilst giganteana is white at the front edge.

Recorded in 25 (61%) of 41 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1890. Last Recorded in 2025. Additional Stats

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