Identification

Unmistakable.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a larva, during August to May.

Larval foodplants

A wide variety.

Habitat

Coastal areas, fens, marshes and gardens in years of abundance.

History 1860-2010

The first record for Scotland was found at Barnbarroch (VC73), on a potato plant (which is no longer there) in late June, 1997, and was belatedly reported to Dumfries & Galloway Environmental Resources Centre in July, 2006. A photograph of the specimen hangs in Reception at the Kippford Holiday Park. Rumours abounded that an unknown person brought some over from the continent and released them, but we have no proof of this.

It has been accepted onto the Scottish Macro Moth List as an adventive.