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

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Gold Spot. More information here, and here.

Recording Method.

Feeds on flowers at dusk. Attracted to light.

Life cycle

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

Larval foodplants

Purple Small-reed, Wood Small-reed, Yorkshire-fog and other grasses.

Habitat

Marshes, fens and other damp areas, including upland.

History

The first records came from Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) who during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn and Castlehill, Dumfries (VC72), specimens identified retrospectively at National Museums Scotland.

Lempke’s Gold Spot was not recognised until the late 1960s, so our next record came in 1972 from Portpatrick. During 1976 the Bridge of Dee and Peninghame (VC74) Rothamsted stations recorded it three times; the only other RIS data is of one at Mabie Forest in 1988. In 1981 it was trapped on the Hensol Estate and the following year during the Scottish Entomologists’ gathering at Barony College, Parkgate, it was recorded by Teddy Pelham-Clinton.

From 1992 to 2010 the regular trapped sites at Kirkton, Durisdeer (VC72), Carsfad near Dalry and Old Torr had contributed a number of the century plus records, with others from suitable damp sites across the region.

The only other Wigtownshire site to the two already mentioned was Carsegowan Moss.