Identification

The grey forewing, marked with black, and the white hindwing with a dark brown border is diagnostic.

Recording Method.

Flies by day, mainly in sunshine. Feeds at flowers of montane plants such as Crowberry and Bilberry. Can be attracted to bunches of scented flowers such as laurels.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae during July and August, feeding by night.

Larval foodplants

Crowberry, Cowberry, Blaeberry and Bearberry.

Habitat

Usually on the summits and high ridges of mountains above 650m.

History

Derek Ratcliffe, who walked all over Dumfries & Galloway, produced the first record for the region whilst walking in Carrifran in the Moffat Hills (VC72) on 6th June 1962. He found it to be frequent and managed to collect one which was identified by Teddy Pelham-Clinton, National Museums Scotland. Ratcliffe also found it at Corserine and Cairnsmore of Fleet (VC73) in 1978.

The only other record is from the Moffat Hills on 4th June 1998.