Identification

Unmistakable at the time of its flight period.

Recording method

Adults sometimes found during the day on tree trunks, males come to light, females less so.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg on the foodplant. Larvae appear April to June, with pupation just below the ground.

Larval foodplants

A wide variety of broadleaved trees.

Habitat

Mainly broadleaved woodland, but will accept parks and gardens with trees.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1862 for VC73 near Terregles by Lennon who stated that it was ‘not very common’, in 1898 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon and in 1946 for VC72 at Tynron by Duncan.