Identification

The unique resting position of holding its wings over its back pressed together will separate it from all other thorns.

Recording method

Often comes to lighted windows, comes to light traps.

Life cycle

Two generations. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae are present mid-May to Late June, again August to early October.

Larval foodplants

Alder, Blackthorn, Bog-myrtle, Downy Birch, Hawthorn, Hazel, Honeysuckle, Sallows and Silver Birch.

Habitat

Gardens, hedgerows, scrub and woodland areas.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1858 for VC72 near Moffat by Somerville who ‘found the larvae on birch’, in 1870 for VC73 in Colvend parish by White and in 1897 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon who ‘found it common, flying along hedgerows at dusk’.