Status
Common.
Originally thought a dark form of Prays fraxinella (Ash Bud Moth) DNA barcoding indicates that P. ruficeps is a species distinct from P. fraxinella. The latter does have a dark form but in it the faint fraxinella markings can still be distinguished.
The moth is double brooded and recorded from May to September.
Only accepted as a valid species in the new British list 2013. P. ruficeps has an unremittingly black forewing without any underlying sign of fraxinella-ish markings, and a rufi ceps, (Red/Brown Head), though this can vary somewhat in the rufi-ness of the ceps.
[John Langmaid, Aug 2013]
There is some debate as to whether this species can be identified without DNA analysis.Recorded in 33 (45%) of 74 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 2010.
Last Recorded in 2023. |