Identification

Unmistakable.

Recording Method.

Male attracted to light, female less so.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a larva during October to April. Pupates in a cocoon underground after a period of being dormant.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on Tufted and Wavy Hair Grass.

Habitat

Grassland and heathland.

History

Buchanan White of Perth (1895) listed it as occurring in Colvend parish (VC73). Gordon (1913) stated it was local and not uncommon, finding it on White Dyke Low Moor, Corsemalzie, on 9th August 1906. W. S. Brocklehurst informed Gordon that he had taken several at light at Park Place, Glenluce, Wigtownshire in August 1910.

Archibald Russell (1944) listed it as occurring near Gatehouse of Fleet (VC73) during the years 1942-43. Next was a 1964 record in VC73, followed by RIS data from 1974-93 of 30 records.

From 1995-2010 under five records were recorded annually, except 2002, 2008 and 2009 when there were none, proving what a scarce species this is.