Davey, P., 2009: A mainly coastal species in south-west England and Wales, but widespread in northern Britain, the larva feeding in the stems and roots of hogweed (Heracleum spondylium) and wild angelica (Angelica sylvestris). This species is an alpine and arctic relic, so its presence in southern England is remarkable. Whereas males perish by the end of November, females hibernate in rock crevices, drystone walls and buildings, and lay their eggs during the spring on the stems of the foodplant. In Dorset, the moth is common very locally along the Purbeck coast and on the Purbeck Ridge among tall, neglected grassland where hogweed and wild parsnip flourish: Durlston, eight larvae in roots and stems of wild parsnip along undercliff on 20 July 1895 (Reverend E Bankes, E Nevison). The moth occurs on Portland and the Chesil, but is at low density. A key recommendation for the coastal Reserves is to maintain areas of rank tall unimproved grassland; host plants should not be touched until the larval stage has been completed by late August. This should help maintain colonies of this fine moth in the county. |