Identification

Very distinctive.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light. Also feeds at flowers but rarely sugar.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a small larva near the ground. They feed by night during October-May. Pupation takes place in a fragile cocoon underground.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on a range of plants including heathers and bedstraws.

Habitat

Heathland, moorland, grassland, wetland and open woodland.

History

Lennon (1863) stated that it was not common, but that it had occurred at Kirkconnell (VC73). Gordon (1913) had found it common on moors around Corsemalzie, Wigtownshire, especially on the heather blossom in August. Earliest date was 16th August 1910. William Evans had received specimens from Mowat, the Killantringan (VC74) lighthouse keeper as part of his migration study of insects.

Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn and Castlehill, Dumfries (all VC72). Archibald Russell (1944) listed it as occurring near Gatehouse of Fleet (VC73) during the years 1942-43.

During 1974-93 it was regularly recorded at five of the seven Rothamsted stations, Newton Stewart and Caerlaverock missing out. From 1990 to 2010 it was still being recorded regularly through personal trapping equipment.