Red List: Least Concern (LC). GB Status: Nationally Scarce B (Nb)

See also Moth of the Week (04/07/2019)

Identification

Usually distinctive. Care required, potential confusion with Ochreous Pug.

Recording method

Can be disturbed from its food-plant by day. Attracted to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa. Larvae August and September. Pupates in loose earth.

Larval foodplants

Flowers of Wild Thyme.

Habitat

Steep, rocky and warm coastal cliffs, limestone quarries and partly vegetated sand-dunes.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1899 for VC74 near Monreith by Morton, in 1974 for VC73 at Portling by Duncan but not until 1998 for VC72 at Castle Loch.