Identification

May be confused with females of M. aruncella.

Recording method

Active by day.  Feeds on the pollen of many herbaceous plants, especially Ranunculus (buttercups etc) and sedges, avoiding hot sun.

Life cycle

Larvae present October-March.  Adults April-July.

Larval Foodplant

Tender young growth of herbaceous plants eg Wood Sedge Carex sylvatica.

History

The first for Dumfries & Galloway was found at Palnackie, Kirkcudbrightshire, on 28th May 1962 by E. C. Pelham-Clinton, who also found the first for Dumfriesshire at Beattock on 29th May 1965. It was not until 2011 that the first for Wigtownshire was found – at Myroch Point on Luce Bay on 13th June.