Red List: Least Concern (LC). GB Status: Common.

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Water Carpet and Devon Carpet.

Recording method

Flies from dusk. Attracted to light.

Life cycle

Two generations. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae present late June to late July, and again late August to September. Pupates in plant debris.

Larval foodplants

Willowherbs and Enchanter’s-nightshade.

Habitat

Most numerous in woodland but found wherever the larval foodplant occurs, so a wide variety of habitats.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1892 for VC72 at Terregles by Lennon who noted that it was ‘not common’,  in 1910 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon but not until 1943 for VC72 at Closeburn by Smith.

In the form insulata (Haworth, 1809) the dark central band is interrupted by two white lines. It was first noted at Kirkland (VC72) on 31st May 2010, with further records from Dumfriesshire, noted at Courance. There is one record from VC73 and that occurred at East Barcloy on 21st June 2010.