Red List: Vulnerable (VU). GB Status: Common.

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Edinburgh Pug, Golden-rod Pug and Common Pug.

Recording method

Flies by day in upland habitats. Attracted to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae July to September. Pupates in loose earth.

Larval foodplants

The flowers of ragworts, Meadowsweet, Devil’s-bit Scabious, hawkweeds, knapweeds, Heather and Cross-leaved Heather.

Habitat

Most abundant in upland grassland and moorland but found in most upland habitats.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1862 for VC73 at Glen Mills by Lennon who said it was ‘not common’, in 1899 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon who found it ‘common on moors’ and in 1943 for VC72 at Lochar by Duncan.