Identification

Compared to White-line Dart the outer cross-line is more prominent and touches all along the edge of the kidney-mark. Lacks the arrow head markings on the outer cross-line of White-line Dart.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to sugar and flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Probably overwinters as an egg. Larvae are present from February to March, with pupation taking place underground in July.

Larval foodplants

Various low-growing plants, but not known fully.

Habitat

Coastal sites. Although Waring et al. (2009) states that it appears to be absent from flat sandy coasts, the Mersehead records prove this to be an erroneous statement.

History

Lennon (1863) had stated that it was very rare, but that it had occurred at Tinwald Downs (VC72). As this is a coastal species, this record is doubtful. However, Evans (1915) during 1914 had received three specimens caught on three separate occasions, in aid of his moth migration survey, from D. A. Mowat, keeper at Killantringan Lighthouse (VC74). How reliable these records are is unknown but at least they are coastal.

Since then, Sir Arthur Duncan caught one at Torrs Warren in 1984, with another found at Torrs Heughs, Sandyhills, on 11th August 2001. A further two were caught at Mullock Bay, Dundrennan, on 22nd August 2003, and two more were caught at Mersehead RSPB on 18th August 2006, all of these were verified by K. P. Bland.