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

Identification

Usually distinctive.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light.

Life cycle

Two generations. Larvae June/July and August. Overwinters as a pupa in a cocoon in leaf-litter.

Larval foodplants

Silver Birch, Downy Birch and sometimes Alder.

Habitat

Woodland, scrub, heathland and other habitats with the larval foodplants of birches and Alder.

History 

Gordon (1913) had found it to be rare, but the first for the region was taken on the high road at Corsemalzie on 11th June 1896. In early July 1905 he managed to beat one from Hazel, whilst in June 1911 he added it to his garden list. He found the specimens varied from light to very dark.

There were further records during the 1940s and 1950s, mainly Dumfriesshire (Sir Arthur Duncan) and one each from Mabie Forest and Kirkconnell Flow (VC73).

With the setting up of Rothamsted stations in the mid 1970s it was found to be common at most stations. Maitland Emmet & Heath (1992) recorded it across the region.