Morley's Final Catalogue: Occurs in only the south-east of England, extending north to Essex. The Revd. J. H. Hocking of Copdock extended its known distribution by the capture at light of one there on 23 April 1896, and two more at Belstead during April 1898 (Bloomfield 1900, Suppl.). None noted later.

Recent Suffolk Status: Very rare, possibly extinct as a resident species with the last record from the former breeding areas in the south-west of the county in 2003. More recent coastal records are thought to be wanderers from the populations on the Essex coast.
Targetted survey work in the last few years has failed to relocate the moth at former sites and the moth hasn't been picked up by regular moth trappers living in south-west Suffolk either.

Life history: Single-brooded. Moth flies when Blackthorn is in blossom. Can be found resting on twigs after dark. Noted to attend actinic light more than MV at a known Essex site.

Identification: Early moth is similar but flies earlier in the year, has more rounded forewings and doesn't have a white spot on the thorax.

Habitat: Thick Blackthorn hedges on farmland, scrub areas.

	Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 12 (21%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1896. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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