Red List: Least Concern (LC). GB Status: Common.

Identification

Usually distinctive.

Recording Method

Attracted to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Pupates in a cocoon in loose earth. Larvae late July to mid-September.

Larval foodplants

Stitchworts.

Habitat

Damp woodland.

History

First recorded in Dumfries and Galloway in VC72 in 1862 at Terregles, Dumfries by Lennon who stated it was ‘very rare’ but this record, and the later ones by Gordon, appear to be misidentifications as they were recorded well outside the flight season for this species.  The first fully documented record is for VC73 in 1998 on the coast at Abbey Burn Foot, south of Dundrennan by Colin Plant.  Since then all records have been from the nearby area around Southwick, Mersehead and Clifton.