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

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

Identification

Usually distinctive.

Recording method

Flies in sunshine around the tops of birch trees. Also basks on the ground and drink at puddles.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae April to June. Pupates in the surface of soft bark.

Larval foodplants

Catkins and leaves of Downy Birch and Silver Birch.

Habitat

Open birch woodland and birch scrub on heathland, embankments and other rough ground.

History

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