Photo © David G Green

Scarce Vapourer

Orgyia recens

Checklist Number
72.018 [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)18/05/1934oneGA ColeLarval
Pamber Forest (SU66)24/06/1934threeGA ColeAdult
Pamber Forest (SU66)26/06/1934oneMJ SymesAdult
Pamber Forest (SU66)1937-Brian R BakerLarval
Pamber Forest (SU66)24/06/1938oneMJ SymesAdult
Pamber Forest (SU66)09/07/1944twoBrian R BakerLarval