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

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Chestnut.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to sugar and flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an adult. Larvae April to June. Pupates in a cocoon underground.

Larval foodplants

Blackthorn, Hawthorn, willows, oaks, docks and Dandelion.

Habitat

Woodland, farmland and some gardens.

History

Sir Arthur Duncan was the first to record it in 1951 at Lannhall, Tynron. During 1976-80 there were a number of records from the Rothamsted station at Waterside Mains at Keir (VC72), with two records at the Gatehouse of Fleet station in 1979, these being the only RIS data.

It was 2005 before it was located again, this time at Kippford, and again the following year. Rockcliffe, 2010, and Cambret Hill in 2007 are the only other locations in Kirkcudbrightshire where it has been found.

The only other records for Dumfriesshire are one from Kirkton in 2009, a handful of records from Durisdeer, 2006-08 and Castle Wood, Caerlaverock in October 2010, during a Grey Daggers Moth Group field meeting.