Identification

Although resembling Small Phoenix it is quite larger and darker looking with the cross-band broadening at the costa.

Recording method

Comes to light in small numbers.

Life Cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg attached to the foodplant.

Larval foodplants

Black Currant, Gooseberry and Red Currant.

Habitat

Gardens and woodland.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1860 for VC72 near Dumfries by Lennon who wrote that he had ‘bred ten on’, in 1870 for VC73 in Colvend parish by White and in 1897 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon who found it ‘seemingly scarce’  ‘beaten from oak’.