Identification

Unmistakable.

Life cycle

Two overlapping generations. Overwinters as a small larva during August to May, again in July. Pupation takes place in a cocoon attached to grasses.

Larval foodplants

Grasses.

Habitat

Chiefly in tall damp grassland, fens, marshes, moorland, heathland and wetter woodland areas.

History 1860-2010

Gordon (1919) had two specimens to record, one taken among rushes at the side of Kennel Wood, Corsemalzie (VC74) on 9th July 1906, the other near the Malzie Burn, Corsemalzie, 26th July 1906.

Archibald Russell (1944) listed it as occurring near Gatehouse of Fleet (VC73) during the years 1942-43. Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn and Tynron (VC72).

During 1974-93 all seven Rothamsted stations provided three hundred and fifty records, proving it widespread.

From 1992 to 2010 the regular trapped sites at Kirkton, Kirkcudbright, Cally Woods, Mersehead RSPB, Forest Moor, Durisdeer and Carsfad at Dalry provided a good number of records with the rest from widely scattered sites across the region.