Davey, P., 2009: A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on the flowers or seeds of ash (Fraxinus spp.), sallow (Salix spp.), poplar (Populus spp.) and elm (Ulmus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is widespread but at low density, occurring most often in localities where its foodplants are frequent. The moth does not appear to colonise poplar-rich habitat, with just six moths in ten years from Hurn. Relatively high numbers of the moth occur in coastal situations, for example at West Bexington, St Albans Head and on Portland; blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) may be a potential foodplant in this open biotype. |