Davey, P., 2009: A local wetland species mainly in south-east England and East Anglia, the larva feeds within spun terminal shoots of willow and sallow (Salix spp.). In Dorset, the moth is frequent in wetland across the Poole Basin where it colonises sallow-rich heathland, fens and river valleys. It is also locally frequent in coastal situations on the Fleet, at Radipole and at Lodmoor, and in Christchurch Harbour. Dispersed singletons are very occasionally trapped some distance away from core habitat. A partial second generation appears in most warm summers from early August onwards. The species is well established in the Poole Basin, and threats posed to its sallow-rich habitats are considered to be minimal, but maintaining viable stocks of sallow on wetland reserves would undoubtedly be beneficial to the species in the county. |