70.076 (BF1779)

Ruddy Highflier   

Hydriomena ruberata
Macro
Geometridae
Adult: 2
Resident, scarce, local. Sparsely distributed on moors, bogs and wet woodland in western Britain. In Scotland sparsely found in upland areas in the very south and the Highlands including Orkney. The distribution shows a major decline since 1970.

Identification

Care required to separate from other ‘highfliers.’

Recording method

Readily disturbed from willows during the day, seen flying at dusk and comes to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae are present July to September, hiding by day and feeding at night.

Larval foodplants

Broadleaved willows.

Habitat

Moorland, heathland, bogs, marshes and wet woodland.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in VC72 in 1947 at Comlongan near Ruthwell by Smith, for VC73  at Silver Flowe by Hulme and for VC74 in 1972 at Mochrum Malsie, west of Wigtown by Watson.

29 record(s) from 17 hectad(s) in D&G

VC74 VC73 VC72
Last recorded 1996 2022 2022

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

 East Scotland Butterfly Conservation website - national distribution maps and phenology

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