Identification

Unmistakable. It is not certain which race occurs here.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light. Can be found by day resting on fence posts and rocks.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa among leaf litter in a cocoon. Larvae are present during June to September.

Larval foodplants

Bilberry, Bog-myrtle, Bogbean, Heather and sallows.

Habitat

Damp heathland, moorland and bogs.

History

Lennon (1860) had stated that he had found this species around Dumfries whilst out walking this season. By 1863, Lennon recorded that it was not common, but that he had found it at Sandyknowe (VC72). Douglas Robinson (1870-71) had found one larva on sallow at Cloke Moss (VC73). Buchanan White of Perth (1895) listed it as occurring in Colvend and Southwick parishes (VC73). Gordon (1913) had found it common at sugar on the moors around Corsemalzie, Wigtownshire, late May to early June, with twenty being collected in one night in June, 1911. Earliest date was 24th May 1898.

Russell (1944) during 1942-43 whilst staying at Gatehouse of Fleet had found it locally. Sir Arthur Duncan had found it at the Black Loch, Ae, Dumfries (VC72) on 2nd July 1943, while Cunningham (1952) had found it on Tinwald Downs in July, 1951.

During 1972-73 records came from Kirroughtree, Glengap, Clints of Dromore and Clatteringshaws Loch. Two were trapped in 1982 on the Hensol Estate, while in 1987 it was found at Cairnsmore of Fleet. From 1993 to 2010 there were just under twenty records from widely scattered sites across the region.