See also Moth of the Week (19/07/2019)

Identification

A distinctive and well marked dart with bold markings and a variegated appearance.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to sugar and flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a larva which feeds throughout except when very cold. Pupates underground in June.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on bedstraws, stitchworts and Sea Sandwort.

Habitat

Mostly recorded on the coast, especially sandy areas.

History

Lennon (1863) stated that it was not common, but that it had occurred at Lochaber (VC73). Gordon (1913) found it common on Ragwort at Glenluce golf course where he took a series on 26th and 27th July 1905. Neither of these records are included in MOGBI for VC74.

Next two records were in the 1970s in Wigtownshire (BRC data) followed by records from Sandhead (VC74) in August, 1987 by Bernard Skinner. During July and August 1996 it was trapped at Mersehead RSPB Reserve, followed by records from Torrs Warren (VC74) the following year.