Identification

Unmistakable. The Scalloped Hook-tip has no proboscis, so it is never found at sugar or flowers.

Life cycle

Records range from early April to third week of August suggesting two generations, which is contrary to Waring et al., of one generation during late May-June. Overwinters as a pupa in a cocoon, in a folded leaf. Larvae are present June and July, and again August to September.

Larval foodplants

Downy Birch and Silver Birch.

Habitat

Woodland, gardens, scrub and heathland.

History

Somerville (1858) recorded larvae on birch from the Moffat area (VC72) just prior to early September 1858. W. Douglas Robinson (1870-71) had found one in a copse wood in June on Almorness (VC73).

Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn, Gilchristland and Lochar (all VC72).

During 1976-92 twenty-one records were recorded from four of the Rothamsted stations.

From 1992 to 2010 there were thirty-two records from widely scattered sites across the region.