See also Moth of the Week (25/04/2019)

Identification

The creamy-white comma shaped mark on the costa near the apex is diagnostic.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae are present May to July.

Larval foodplants

Downy Birch and Silver Birch.

Habitat

Mature birch woodland.

History 1860-2010

The first was found by Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) who during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn (VC72).

Rothamsted data provided three records from Waterside Mains at Keir in 1976, with a further two in 1981 and a single in 1982. Mabie Forest station also recorded it in 1987 and 1989 singularly.

In early May 1991 and 1992 it was trapped at Bargaly Lodge, with another trapped mid-May in 1996 at Kirkton.

One came to actinic light in Cally Woods in late April, 1997, with a further two being found in the same month, but in 2002, at Carsfad at Dalry and Carsegowan Moss.

On 5th May 2005 it was trapped at Auchencairn Bay.