Identification

Easily recognised but very variable in colour.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a larva. during August to June.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on clovers and vetches. It visits flowers like Common Knapweed and Common Ragwort after dusk, and is sometimes disturbed during the day.

Habitat

Wide range of grassland habitats.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1862 near Dumfries by Lennon who regarded it as ‘very common’.  First record for VC74 was in 1891 near Monreith by Morton and for VC73 in 1942 near Gatehouse of Fleet by Russell.