Identification

Care needed in separation from other ‘carpets,’ but once learnt it is fairly easy.

Life cycle

It overwinters as a pupa on the ground in a cocoon. Larvae are present June and July, again, September to October.

There are two generations in an extended flight period with overlap. Adults are active from dusk onwards and are moderately attracted to light. Also, they are easily disturbed from vegetation during the day.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on bedstraws.

Habitat

A wide range of habitats.

History

First recorded from Dumfries and Galloway in VC72 at Raehills, south of Beattock by Little who regarded it as ‘common’, in VC74 near Monreith by Gordon who stated that it was ‘ abundant everywhere in Wigtownshire’  and VC73 in 1942 near Gatehouse of Fleet by Russell.