Identification

Unmistakable.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg, laid on the foodplant. Larva May-July. Pupates underground.

Larval foodplants

The caterpillars feed on cypress, especially Lawson’s cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), and Leyland cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii), consuming mainly the flowers.

Habitat

Gardens and urban areas are the main habitat of this species, as the larval foodplants are found almost exclusively in these habitats.

History 

First recorded in Britain on the Isle of Wight in 1951, this species has spread rapidly northwards. The first record for our region, and Scotland, was in Kirkcudbright in 2001. Four further records occurred during 2006 in VC73, followed by one each in 2007, 2008 and 2009, the latter occurring at Kirkton (VC72).

The northward spread seems likely to continue.