70.215 (BF1897)

V-Moth   

Macaria wauaria
Macro
Geometridae
Adult: 3
Extinct (?), former resident, scarce, local. Formerly widespread in England and Wales but has suffered very severe declines in abundance and distribution and has been lost from many areas. In Scotland scattered records as far north as Inverness but only one since 2017.

Identification

Unmistakable.

Recording method

Comes to light in small numbers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg. Larvae are present mid-April to mid-June, with pupation among the leaves of the foodplant in a cocoon.

Larval foodplants

Black Currant, Gooseberry and Red Currant.

Habitat

Allotments and gardens mainly.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1862 for VC72 near Dumfries by Lennon who found it ‘common everywhere around the Dumfries area’, in 1898 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon but not until 1979 for VC73 at Bridge of Dee by Keith Bland.  The last record was in 2001 for VC72 at Durisdeer by Caroline Allen.

20 record(s) from 7 hectad(s) in D&G

VC74 VC73 VC72
Last recorded 1977 1979 2001

 UK Moths website - further information on species (with photos)

 East Scotland Butterfly Conservation website - national distribution maps and phenology

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