Identification

Compare with Grey Birch, but the generally white forewing colour with conspicuous central black-dots and fine outer cross-line angled at both ends should separate it from that species.

Recording method

Can be disturbed during the day from lichen covered tree branches, comes to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a larva during late August to June. Pupation takes place among the foodplant.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on beard lichens.

Habitat

Found in mature broadleaved woodland.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1858 for VC72 near Moffat by Somerville who found it ‘on lichens on birch during August’, in 1942 for VC73 at Gatehouse of Fleet by Russell, and as recently as 1971 for VC74 at Mochrum by Radford.