Identification

Similar to Lychnis. The purplish-pink marbling across the forewing when fresh, and the kidney-mark and oval usually being joined should help separate it from Lychnis.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae during July to September inside the seed capsules of the foodplant until too large, then they emerge to feed at night, hiding by day.

Larval foodplants

The ripening seeds of various campions and Ragged Robin.

Habitat

Found in a wide range of open, grassy habitats.

History

J. Garraway informed Gordon (1913) that he had taken two in a quest for seed heads of Silene maritima on Craignarget shore in 1910; additional to MOGBI for VC74. Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn, Tynron and Castlehill, Dumfries (all VC72).

One record each from Mabie Forest in 1990 and Newton Stewart in 1977, two from Gatehouse of Fleet during 1975-76, three from Bridge of Dee in 1976 and 18 records during 1977-81 at Waterside Mains, Keir (VC72) is all the RIS data. Regular trapping at Kirkton and Durisdeer (VC72) during 1993-2010 recorded it most years, with other records from Kirkcudbrightshire and Dumfriesshire. In the same period it had only been found at Bargrennan and Torrs Warren in Wigtownshire.