Identification

Females – which have no white bars- can be confused with M. calthella.

Recording method

Feeds on pollen of many herbaceous plants, also hawthorns.  Active by day and sometimes comes to light.

Life cycle

Larvae present September-March, adults April-August.

Larval Foodplant

Tender young growth of herbaceous plants.

History

The first for Dumfries & Galloway was found at Southerness, Kirkcudbrightshire, on 11th July 1982 by E. C. Pelham-Clinton.  The first for Dumfriesshire was found at Townfoot Farm, Glencaple, on 25th June 2011.  The first for Wigtownshire was found at Elrig Loch near Mochrum on 22nd June 1988.