Identification

Unmistakable. Because of its rarity status a specimen or quality photo is required for record acceptance.

Recording method

Easily disturbed by day from amongst heather, comes to light.

Life cycle

One generation between July and August, overwintering as a larva on the foodplant between September and June, forming a cocoon close to the ground.

Larval foodplants

Heather and Common Bird’s-foot trefoil.

Habitat

Heather heathland and moorland.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1858 for VC72 near Moffat by Somerville who saw ‘one flying over ferns in heathy places’ and in 1862 for VC73 at Terregles by Lennon who recorded it as ‘very rare’.   Since then there has been one record in 1942 from Gatehouse of Fleet by Russell but also one in 2012 for VC74 near Drummore in a light trap by Richard Mearns.