Red List: Least Concern (LC). GB Status: Common.

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Striped Twin-spot Carpet.

Recording Method

Readily disturbed by day from rocks and vegetation. Attracted to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a small larva. Larvae August to May. Pupates low down on the foodplant.

Larval foodplants

Heathers and Blaeberry.

Habitat

Mountains and moorland usually where there are exposed rocks.

History

First recorded from Dumfries and Galloway from VC72 in 1862 near Dalscone by Lennon who stated it was ‘not common’, for VC73 in 1870 by White and for VC74 in 1905 at Corsemalzie by Gordon who stated it to be ‘scarce on rocks on the moors, probably more numerous on the moors bordering Ayrshire’.