Identification

Beware confusion with Shark, which flies later but there is some overlap in the flight time between the species around the latter half of May. Chamomile Shark is smaller with the black streaks on the forewing longer and extending through the termen into the fringe. The hindwing is key, being grey in the male and a darker brownish grey in the female. Also, the fringe has three bands of colour, the outer and inner being pale with a dark one in the middle. More information here.

Take care identifying this species after mid-May.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae are present from late June to early September, feeding at night and hiding by day.

Larval foodplants

Chamomile is virtually absent in the wild in Dumfries & Galloway, so larvae probably feed on the flowers of Scentless Mayweed and Feverfew.

Habitat

Grassy sites, often with disturbed ground.

History

Gordon (1913) was informed by Hugh McDowall that he had caught two at Portpatrick (VC74) in 1886. Three were trapped in 1995 at Kirkton (VC72), followed by another two in 1997 one in April the rest in May. On 22nd May 2000 another was caught at Carsfad, near Dalry (VC73). Two were caught at Auchencairn (VC73) in early May 2002 and mid-May 2004. Larvae were found on 26th June 2005 at Garheugh Point, followed by an imago at Forest Moor the following year on 30th April, both Wigtownshire. On 9th May 2006 another was trapped at Milton (VC73).