35.154 Xenolechia aethiops (Humphreys & Westwood, 1845)

Formerly local in parts of southern, south-west and northern England, North Wales and Scotland as far north as the Orkney Islands. Recorded from two localities in central Ireland in the 1980s.

Records submitted to the Recording Scheme covering the period subsequent to 1999 seem to indicate a serious decline in distribution and numbers. Since then only two have been reported in England (in Northumberland) in 2012 and 2018 and three in Scotland, two of the latter were found at a single site in Angus (VC90), in 2010 and a singleton in the Aviemore area in 2015.

It is possible data has yet to be submitted or that the species is under-recorded due to the early flight period and unusual habitat requirements (areas of new heather growth in recently burnt locations). Whatever the reason, it would be worthwhile looking for this species at previously known or new locations where heather has been recently burnt to establish if this apparent decline is genuine or not.