Identification

The grey forewing tinged with lilac and brown, together with the two creamy central marks with dark dusting inside is diagnostic. Males have feathered antennae so the sex is worth recording.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg which are laid in small batches on twigs of the foodplant. Larvae arrear April to mid-July, with pupation taking place in a cocoon in leaf litter.

Larval foodplants

Blackthorn, Crab Apple, hawthorns, wild roses and fruit trees.

Habitat

A wide variety of habitats as long as the foodplant is there.

History

The first record was from Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) who found it in October 1946, at Castlehill, Dumfries (VC72). The second was trapped at Irvine House Lodge, Auchenrivock (VC72) in October 1973.

During 1975-80 with the Rothamsted stations running, it was trapped mostly at Caerlaverock (VC72), but small numbers of records also came from Bridge of Dee (VC73) and Waterside Mains at Keir (VC72). The Mabie Forest site was set up later and recorded it in 1990 and 1992.

From 1992 to 2009 it only occurred at three sites, twice at Caerlaverock, once at Old Torr (VC73), with the rest from Kirkton, thirty four records in an eight-year span from 1992.