Identification

The unique resting posture of wings held out flat and away from the abdomen which is curled upwards, is shared only with the Barred Straw. The chequered fringes should separate it from the latter. Due to its rarity status a quality photo or specimen required for record acceptance.

Recording method

Flies from dusk, comes to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg on its foodplant. Pupation takes place on the ground or among spun leaves on the foodplant.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on Black Currant and Red Currant.

Habitat

Lowland gardens and woodland.

History

The first record for Dumfries and Galloway was in 1820 from VC72 at Raehills, St. Ann’s by Little, in 1906 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon and in 1976 for Bridge of Dee, west of Castle Douglas in the Rothamsted light trap there.  There are no photographs or specimens of any of the recorded sightings and certainly no verified records since 2011.