Identification

Latticed Heath is similar but that rests with its wings up like a butterfly whereas the Common Heath rests with them flat.

Recording method

Adults active by day especially in warm weather, rarely comes to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Active by day in warm weather and easily disturbed from grass or heather. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae are present from July to September on heathers.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on heathers, sometimes trefoils, clovers and vetches.

Habitat

Heathland and moorland.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1820 for VC72 at Raehills by Little who stated it was ‘very common’, in 1898 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon who found it ‘abundant on all the moors in Wigtownshire’, and in 1941 for VC73 near Kippford by Bretherton.