Identification

Similar to Lesser Cream Wave but without any dots on the wings, which are dull greyish white, with fine speckling of grey-brown.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a larva during August to late May, with pupation taking place in plant debris close to ground level.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on Heather and Bilberry.

Habitat

Heathland, moorland and bogs.

History

First recorded  in Dumfries and Galloway in VC74 around Corsemalzie by Gordon who wrote ‘locally common on moorlands all over the district where Bog Myrtle occurs, early date’ (26th June).

The first for VC73 was from Gatehouse of Fleet by Russell and for VC72 from Lochar Moss, Dumfries by Duncan.   Many records came from the Rothamsted trap network the mid 1970’s where five of the seven stations provided over forty records.