Identification

Brownish forewing in the male with a conspicuous row of black dots at the termen of both wings will help to identify it. The females are flightless.

Recording method

Adult females can be found on tree trunks in the early morning, males come to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa underground. Larvae present April to mid-June.

Larval foodplants

A wide variety of broadleaved trees and shrubs.

Habitat

Mainly woodland, but also a wide variety of habitats.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1862 for VC72 near Dumfries by Lennon who stated it was ‘common around the Dumfries area’, in 1862 for VC73 in Mabie Forest by Lennon and in 1902 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon who found it ‘common at light and at rest on tree trunks’.