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

Identification

Usually distinctive.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to sugar and flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg. Larvae April to early June. Pupates in a cocoon underground.

Larval foodplants

Herbaceous and woody plants including Meadowsweet, Common Sorrel and Bladder Campion.

Habitat

A wide range of habitats including woodland, parkland, scrub, hedgerows and fens.

History

Lennon (1863) stated it to be common in moist places. Gordon (1913) states that one was taken on a window at Alticry House, Wigtownshire, by Mrs. Bonner on 25th August 1909. Additional to MOGBI for VC74. Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn, Tynron and Castlehill, Dumfries (all VC72).

During 1976-82 Waterside Mains at Keir, produced many records, Mabie Forest 1985-89 added a few records, this being the only Rothamsted data. Kirkton (VC72) recorded many records during 1992-2010, with Mersehead RSPB also adding many records in the same period.