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

Identification

Highly variable but usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Ruddy Highflier and May Highflier.

Recording method

Attracted to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg on the foodplant. Larvae April to early June, feeding by night. Pupates near or below ground level.

Larval foodplants

Bilberry, Creeping Willow, Hazel, Heather and sallows.

Habitat

Mostly woodland but also on moorland, heathland, parks and gardens.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in VC72 at Raehills, Dumfries by Little, for VC73 in 1874 near Castle Douglas by Robinson-Douglas and for VC74 in 1899 near Monreith by Russell.