See also Moth of the Week (05/06/2024)

Identification

Unmistakable.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa underground, always near the larval foodplant of willows and sallows.

Larval foodplants

Cultivated and wild sallows and willows; also Apple and Crab Apple.

Habitat

Wide range of habitats.

History 1860-2010

Lennon (1860) stated he had bred 40 on, presumably from larvae found around Dumfries. By 1863 he had found it at Lochaber in the Mabie Forest (VC73) and Comlongan (VC72) in 1862. Gordon (1913) admitted having never seen the imago, but records that larvae were not uncommon on willow at Merton-hall, Newton Stewart (Holland). This is an additional record to MOGBI for VC74.

Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn (VC72). Sometime during 1975-80 it was found at Springfield, Gretna (BRC data), with further records coming from trapping at Kirkton in 1998 and 2000.

There was one that came indoors to light at Annan in early July 2009. Although no photo was taken the eyes on the pinkish underwing were seen.

However, Waring, Townsend & Lewington (2003) only record it once for Scotland and that was from Dumfriesshire.