Identification

Four blackish blotches on the costa of greyish rounded forewings, and a small central dot, should aid identity.

Recording method

Can be disturbed from birch tree trunks during the day, comes to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa just below the surface. Larvae present June to late August.

Larval foodplants

Downy Birch and Silver Birch.

Habitat

Well established sites of birch woodland or scrub.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway only in 1948 for VC73 at Mabie Forest by Duncan, in 2000 for VC74 at Mochrum Loch by Peter Norman, and in 2004 for VC72 at Kirkton by Richard Mearns.