Identification
Unmistakable.
Life cycle
One generation. Overwinters as a pupa in an underground cocoon. Larvae are present from late July to mid-October, feeding mainly at night.
This could possibly be the most northerly breeding population of this attractive moth, which is on the wing in July.
Larval foodplants
Larvae feed on Bramble, Dewberry and possibly Raspberry.
Habitat
Open woodland and scrub.
History
Not recorded in MOGBI. Cunningham (1949-50) however, had recorded it in the Transactions where it was stated that Sir Arthur Duncan caught a series of this moth in July, 1935, at Gilchristland (VC72), there being only one other Scottish record at that point, which was from Gourock.
Since then there are records for 1999 which were from a coastal location near Ravenshall Point, and also nearby at Kirkmabreck in 2007. It was also trapped at Carsluith in July 2006 and July 2007.