Identification

Unmistakable.

Recording method

Flies by day, especially near dusk, also comes to light.  Larae can be found by searching Yellow-rattle seed heads.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa underground. Larvae are present inside the seed capsules during mid-June to August.

Larval foodplants

Yellow-rattle.

Habitat

Grassland, coastal shingle and dune-slacks.

History 1860-2010

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1858 for VC72 near Moffat by Somerville, in 1874 for VC73 near Castle Douglas by Robinson-Douglas and in 1899 for VC74 near Montreith by Morton.