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

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Round-winged Muslin.

Recording Method.

Male regularly attracted to light, female rarely seen.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a larva.  Larvae August to early June Pupates in a cocoon in a crevice.

Larval foodplants

Various Lichens on tree trunks, rocks, stone walls and posts.

Habitat

Open stony places with stone walls, but also woodland and gardens.

History 

W. D. Robinson-Douglas found the first found in 1874. K. J. Morton of Edinburgh (1900) whilst on a visit in July 1899 to Wigtownshire had found this species in the Monreith area. Gordon (1913) had found it to be common and generally distributed around Wigtownshire. Earliest date was 15th June 1911.

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

During 1974-92 six of the Rothamsted stations recorded nearly 140 records, Caerlaverock being the odd one out not to record it. Regular trapping at the following sites at Bargaly Lodge, Kirkton, Cally Woods and Durisdeer produced many records with others coming from widespread sites scattered across the region.