Identification

Unmistakable.

Life cycle

One generation. It overwinters as a pupa. Larvae are present in July and August.

It is a small moth and can be easily overlooked as it flies by day or when disturbed.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on grassland species: White Clover, Red Clover, Black Medick, Lucerne, trefoils and vetches.

Habitat

Open grassy sites, including heathland and low moorland, woodland rides, embankments and verges.

History 1860-2010

Lennon (1863) stated that it was not so common, but that it had occurred at Dalskairth (VC73). Additional to MOGBI. Robinson-Douglas (1874) made a general statement of it not being scarce around Orchardton (VC73).

Cunningham (1950) in the Transactions stated that several were taken on the outskirts of Dumfries, in May, 1948, and in every subsequent year. This being an addition to the Dumfriesshire list. Sir Arthur Duncan found one at Lochar on 28th June 1974, specimen in National Museums Scotland.

Apart from these old, mainly unsubstantiated records only one other has been seen and that at the well-recorded site of Mersehead RSPB on 9th July 2009.