Identification

Unmistakable.

Recording method

Males come to light but moth rarely seen during the day.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa in a cocoon close to the ground. Larvae are present from July to the middle of September.

Larval foodplants

Mainly oaks and birches, but also sallows.

Habitat

Woodland and gardens with stands of broadleaved trees.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1860 for VC72 near Dumfries by Lennon, in 1862 for VC73 at Dalskairth also by Lennon where he regarded it as ‘very rare’, and in 1906 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon who had found it ‘not uncommon at light in woods’ and in the following year found ‘four full fed larvae were beaten from a young oak tree’.