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

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Grey Shoulder-knot.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg. Larva May-July. Pupates underground.

Larval foodplants

The flowers and young leaves of Monterey, Lawson’s and Leyland Cypress.

Habitat

Conifer plantations, parks and gardens.

History 

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

The northward spread seems likely to continue.