See also Moth of the Week (21/09/2019)

Identification

Unmistakable.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to sugar and flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg. Larvae are present April to June, with pupation several weeks later from the base of a tree.

Larval foodplants

Pedunculate Oak.

Habitat

Broadleaved woodland, hedgerows and parkland.

History 1860-2010

The earliest notification of this species is published in Stephens (1829) with the Rev. William Little recording it at Raehills (VC72).

Gordon (1913) stated he sometimes found it common at sugar at Corsemalzie (VC74) during September.

Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn, Tynron and Castlehill, Dumfries (all VC72).

During 1974-89 there were thirteen records from five of the Rothamsted stations, Newton Stewart and Caerlaverock not recording it. From 1993 to 2010, the regular trapped sites at Kirkton, Durisdeer (VC72), Cally Woods, Carsfad at Dalry and Old Torr (VC73) and Forest Moor (VC74) recorded most of the sixty records, with a handful from other widespread sites.