Identification

The solid blackish bar extending from close to the trailing edge inwards, running parallel with the costa, and a pale flattened S-mark midway is diagnostic.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light in small numbers, also comes to sugar and flowers.

Life cycle

One generation late autumn, reappearing in the spring. Overwinters as an adult in a sheltered location. Larvae are present May to July, with pupation about two months later underground.

Larval foodplants

Ash.

Habitat

Some gardens, marshy sites and open broadleaved woodland.

History

Lennon (1863) had stated that it was not common, but that it had occurred near Dalscone (VC72). Lennon also found the Pale Pinion at the same site but stated it to be rare!

MOGBI make no mention of any records for our Region.

However, the first confirmed Scottish modern record was caught at Glencaple on 2nd May 2009 and confirmed by Roy Leverton.