Identification

Very variable. Up to six short dark arrowheads near the outer edge, with a white streak parallel to the costa will aid identification.

Recording Method.

Attracted to light, also comes to sugar and flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as an egg. Larvae are present late March to July, with pupation underground.

Larval foodplants

A wide variety of herbaceous plants, including bedstraws.

Habitat

Heathland, moorland, downland, coastal sand-dunes and cliffs.

History

Lennon (1863) had found it on the Tinwald Downs (VC72). K. J. Morton of Edinburgh (1900) whilst on a visit in July 1899 to Wigtownshire had found this species in the Monreith area. Gordon (1913) had found it local on the coast and exceedingly abundant on Glenluce golf course in late July 1905 when thousands apparently were on ragwort. He also found it very variable.

During 1969-72 it was found at Sandhead and Port William (VC74), and two years later, 1974-78, it was recorded eight times from Gatehouse of Fleet and Caerlaverock Rothamsted stations.

In August 1987, Bernard Skinner found it was still present at Sandhead. From 1990 to 2010 there were 56 records of which 24 came from Mersehead RSPB, with the rest being found along the Solway coast.