Red List: Vulnerable (VU). GB Status: Common.

Identification

Usually distinctive.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to sugar and flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa.Larvae  June to September. Pupates in a cocoon underground.

Larval foodplants

A wide range of herbaceous and woody plants including Heather, Bracken, Broom, Bramble, Larch and willows.

Habitat

Open habitats, including heathland and moorland. Less frequently in woodland and wetland.

History

Somerville (1858) had found the larvae on rushes near Moffat whilst on a visit in August of that year. Lennon (1863) had noted it as occurring near Georgetown on the Lochar Moss (VC72). Gordon (1913) had found it common and generally distributed in Wigtownshire, especially on the moors in June. In September the larvae were abundant on bog myrtle. Earliest date was 6th June 1911.

Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Tynron, Closeburn and Castlehill, Dumfries.

During 1974-94 there were forty records from five of the seven Rothamsted stations, Waterside Mains and Bridge of Dee not recording it.

During 1982-84 it was trapped regularly on the Hensol Estate. Kirkton, Durisdeer and Carsfad produced a steady trickle of records during 1988-2005.