Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Shark. Flight season is earlier than Shark. More information here.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa, sometimes for more than one year. Pupates in a cocoon underground. Larvae  late June to early September.

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, filed margins, 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).