Identification

Unmistakable.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to sugar and flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a larva.

Larval foodplants

Reed Canary-grass, Reed Sweet-grass and cultivated Pampas-grass, the larvae feeding inside the stem.

Habitat

Wetlands, including marshes, fens, loch sides and damp woodland.

History 

Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) was the first to record it when he found it at Closeburn (VC72).

During 1974-81 Rothamsted data shows that the Gatehouse of Fleet site with 35 records was by far and away the most recorded site, but Waterside Mains at Keir and the Bridge of Dee sites produced one record each.

The next record came from Bernard Skinner when he found it at Sandhead (VC74) while on a visit here in August, 1987. The only other Wigtownshire sites are Torrs Warren in 1997 and Barsalloch Point in 2005.

During 1993-2010 it was regularly trapped at Kirkton (VC72) with Cally Woods, Kirkcudbright and Auchencairn (all VC73) also recording a small number of records. The rest of the records are from a small number of sites from VCs 72 and 73.