Identification

Usually distinctive.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also visits flowers such as Ivy and buddleias.

Life cycle

Recorded throughout the year but mainly June to October. Sometimes breeds but may not survive the winter.

Larval foodplants

Dandelion, Common Restharrow, docks and Groundsel.

Habitat

As a migrant, could appear anywhere but perhaps more likely at coastal sites.

History 1860-2010

First recorded by Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) who during his lifetime had found it at Tynron, Dumfriesshire.

The second was trapped in Dumfries by Robin Knill-Jones on 10th July 1982.

During 1993-2006 it was trapped nearly annually at Kirkton, missing only in six of those years. In 1997 it was trapped on the Eskrigg Nature Reserve at Lockerbie, and also at Durisdeer in 1999.

The first for Kirkcudbrightshire was trapped at Castlemuir Point on 6th August 2003, with further records for that VC came when fifteen were trapped in three traps on 18th August 2006 at Mersehead RSPB.

There were five records from Forest Moor, Wigtownshire, during June-August, 2006, which were the first for that VC.