Identification

The course texture of the forewing with the twin-spots located inside the scalloped outermost cross-line are diagnostic.

Recording method

Male flies by day on warm, dry weather and at dusk, females come to light.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg. Larvae are present April to June.

Larval foodplants

Bilberry, Cow Parsley, Heather, Red Campion and sallows and other herbaceous plants.

Habitat

Light upland and lowland woodland, moorland, sand-dunes and sea-cliffs.

History

First recorded for Dumfries and Galloway in 1820 for VC72 at Raehills by Little who said it was ‘common’, in 1899 for VC74 near Monreith by Morton and in 1942 near Gatehouse of Fleet by Russell.