Thursday 31 May 2012

Fletcher's Pug - Darley Dale

A decade ago Brian Statham identified the first example of Fletcher's Pug in Derbyshire. In June 2004 Simon Roddis and I caught several more at High Tor above Matlock Bath where the species is still present, I recorded it in the same area last year. 
Last night I caught one for the first time at home in Darley Dale. A rather worn specimen, as most seem to be, but it shows the remnants of the 'tram-lines' which are characteristic of the species and highlighted on the image below. The larva feed on lime, in particular the small-leaved lime which occurs on the cliffs above Matlock Bath. Lime trees are abundant in Darley Dale bordering the A6 through the village and it's possible that the moth is established locally rather than a wandering example from Matlock Bath.

Fletcher's Pug

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