Identification

Unmistakable but size is quite variable with some females particularly large.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also occasionally comes to sugar and flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg. Larvae are present late April to early August, with pupation underground.

Larval foodplants

Broad-leaved Dock, Ribwort Plantain, Field Woundwort and sea-lavenders.

Habitat

Fens, marshes, pasture, woodland rides and gardens.

History

Somerville (1858) on a visit to the Moffat area in August of that year had found it on the heads of ragwort. Lennon (1863) had noted it at Caerlaverock (VC72). Douglas Robinson (1870-71) had also found it at ragwort in August on Almorness where he lived, giving its status as not rare. Gordon (1913) regarded it as generally distributed and often common around Corsemalzie, Wigtownshire. Earliest date was 29th July 1911.

William Evans in his research of Scottish lighthouses received this species from D. A. Mowat the keeper at Killantringan Lighthouse in September, 1913 and August, 1914.

Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) had found it at Closeburn, Tynron and Castlehill, Dumfries in his lifetime, whilst Archibald Russell listed it as occurring near Gatehouse of Fleet whilst he was stationed there during 1942-43.

David Cunningham had also found it common in the 1950s.

During 1974-93 there were 650 records from all seven Rothamsted stations proving it to be one of most common and widespread noctuids.

From 1992 to 2010 the regular trapped sites at Kirkton, Mersehead RSPB, Cally Woods, Durisdeer and Old Torr provided a good number of the 700 records during that period, with others from widely scattered sites across the region.