Status
Morley's Final Catalogue: Less common than the last species; apparently confined to clay woods, containing much sallow, in south-centre of the County. Stowmarket (B, Ent. Wk. Intell, ii, 1857, 28) and larva there (C, l.c. iv, 1858, 51). A pair flying, in cop., about Ipswich on 27 March 1861 (Tim. Last, l.c. x, 27). Adundant in Raydon Woods in 1930 (Trans. ii, 83) and March 1894 (Mly; cf.Ent. Rec. xi, 135), and then not found about Bentley, whence it had been earlier recorded and where it recurred in 1934-5 (Trans. ii, p. cliv). Needham and Kesgrave before 1890.
Recent Suffolk Status: Not seen in the county from 1960 onwards until 1998 when it was noted in Wolves Wood, Hadleigh where there are large stands of the foodplant, Aspen (N. Sherman et al.). Seen regularly at this site every year since then.
More recent targetted survey work has re-found the moth in Raydon Great wood in 2022 and at a new site, Bonny Wood in 2023 (N. Sherman). Could possibly occur at other woodland sites in the county containing large Aspen trees.
Life history: Single brooded in the spring. Adults fly high around Aspens on warm sunny days. They can been seen much closer feeding on moisture around puddles on tracks near the foodplant trees.
Identification: Male Light orange underwing has lightly feathered antennae, Orange underwing has finely serrated antennae. Light Orange underwing has less white on the forewing and is usually greyer. The underside of the hindwing of Light Orange underwing has an unbroken outer dark band, this band is broken by an orange patch in Orange underwing.
Habitat: Mainly wet woodlands on clay soils with much Aspen.Verification Grade Comment: Clear photos of both the upperside of the moth and the underside of the hindwing will be required if the moth is noted away from the well-known site at Wolves wood.  | Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required. | |
Recorded in 4 (7%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1861.
Last Recorded in 2023. |