70.203 (BF1661)

Orange Underwing   

Archiearis parthenias
Macro
Geometridae
Adult: 1
Resident, scarce, local - almost certainly overlooked. Widespread in birch woodland on heaths in England and Wales. In Scotland in the south west and patchy records to the north of the Central Belt to east Sutherland.

See also Moth of the Week (22/04/2019)

Identification

A distinctive moth in Scotland.

Recording method

Flies in sunshine around the tops of birch woodland, particularly in the morning.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae are present April to June.

Larval foodplants

Larvae are from April to June on both Downy Birch and Silver Birch.

Habitat

Birch woodland and other places where birches are found. Flies in sunshine around the tops of birches, but afternoon provides the best time to try and see them as they drop to bask on the paths and drink at puddles.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1930 for VC73 at Kirkconnell Flow by Duncan, in 1993 for VC74 on Carsegowan Moss by Jim McCleary and only in 2010 for VC72 on Nutberry Moss by Richard Mearns.

39 record(s) from 11 hectad(s) in D&G

VC74 VC73 VC72
Last recorded 2002 2022 2021

 UK Moths website - further information on species (with photos)

 East Scotland Butterfly Conservation website - national distribution maps and phenology

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