Identification

Unmistakable.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a half-grown larva, during July to April, low down in the vegetation, where it pupates in a cocoon.

Larval foodplants

A wide variety of herbaceous plant, including Bell Heather, Common Rock-rose, to name a few.

Habitat

Heathland, moorland, open areas in woodland and other scrubby areas.

History 1860-2010

Lennon (1863) had found it abundant everywhere. Gordon (1913) found this not uncommon in the larval state, but stated that the imagines were rarely seen. Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn, Tynron and Castlehill, Dumfries (all VC72). Archibald Russell (1944) listed it as occurring near Gatehouse of Fleet (VC73) during the years 1942-43.

During 1961-73 there were ten records from widespread sites in VCs 73 and 74. Then, from 1974 to 1993 all seven Rothamsted stations recorded 150 records between them. From 1992 to 2010 the regular trapping sites at Kirkton and Durisdeer (VC72) and Mersehead RSPB (VC73) accounted for nearly half of the 400 records during this period, with the others from widespread sites across the region.

The form petriburgensis had occurred.