Photo © David G Green
Scarce Vapourer
Orgyia recens
Checklist Number72.018 [B&F: 2025]
Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification
Classification
| Family: | Erebidae |
| Subfamily: | Lymantriinae |
| Genus: | Orgyia |
| Species: | recens |
| Authority: | (Hübner, [1819]) |
A vulnerable Red Data Book species, on heathland, damp woodland, fens and bogs, in north-eastern England, restricted now to a few areas close to the Humber and in north-east Norfolk, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire the last known locality for this species was Pamber Forest, and the last record was of two larvae found there in July 1944. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan male 34-40 mm, female wingless. The main confusion species is Vapourer O. antiqua, but O. recens lacks the white subapical spot of O. antiqua. Larva feeds on various broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including Hawthorn, Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Larval | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
VC12 North Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 18/05/1934 | one | Alec Harmer | Larval |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 24/06/1934 | three | Sam Knill-Jones | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 26/06/1934 | one | GA Cole | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 1937 | - | GA Cole | Larval |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 24/06/1938 | one | MJ Symes | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 09/07/1944 | two | Brian R Baker | Larval |
