Identification

Very distinctive.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to flowers.

Life cycle

Probablye two generations, one late May to early July and a second in August. It overwinters as a pupa just below the surface. Larvae are present July to late September, feeding day and night, often leaving themselves exposed on leaves in good weather.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on hawkweeds, hawk’s-beards, sow thistles and related plants.

Habitat

Coastal dunes and shingle with vegetation, rough grassland and occasionally gardens.

History

First record came from Irvine House Lodge, Auchenrivock (VC72), 16th June 1974. Followed by the only Rothamsted record, which was at the Bridge of Dee (VC73) site and was caught on 10th June 1976.

Most of our records are from Kirkton between 1993-2002. Other sites are Carsfad, near Dalry, and Lochfoot (both VC73) and the only Wigtonshire record was trapped at Monreith on 31st July 2005.