Red List: Vulnerable (VU). GB Status: Common.

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Northern Spinach.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Pupates underground. Larvae September and October.

Larval foodplants

Goosefoots and oraches.

Habitat

Rough open weedy places,  including the coast locations, derelict urban land and farmland.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in VC72 in 1862 near Terregles, Dumfries by Lennon who stated that it was ‘uncommon’, the first for VC74 in 1898 was at Corsemalzie where it was ‘not uncommon in the garden’ but it was not found in VC73 until 1996 at Mersehead.