Red List: Least Concern (LC). GB Status: Common.

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Garden Carpet, Grey Mountain Carpet and Twin-spot Carpet.

Recording method

Can be disturbed by day. Attracted to light.

Life cycle

Two generations. Overwinters in a cocoon as a fully-grown larva.  Pupates April or May.

Larval foodplants

Bedstraws.

Habitat

Mainly rocky moorland but also open woodland and other grassy habitats.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1911 for VC74 at Corsemalzie by Gordon who said it was ‘not uncommon in Wigtownshire at light, on sallows on the moors, and at rest on rocks there’, in 1930 for VC72 at Closeburn by Duncan and in 1942 for VC73 near Gatehouse of Fleet by Russell.