Davey, P., 2009: A strongly migratory species headquartered south of 40°N that ranges from a near annual in southern England, to uncommon in northern Scotland, the larva feeding on field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). The species does not appear to be able to survive the UK winter in any stage; hundreds of adults and some larvae were recorded in 2006 and yet relatively few were seen the following year. The adult is fond of nectaring at scented flowers from dusk onwards. In Dorset, the moth has been recorded at least once in each of the past twenty years and usually between mid-August and late-October. Very occasionally first brood adults make it to the UK between late-May and mid-July. Larvae are seldom encountered, and even in favourable years tend to be restricted to the coast. The attraction of scented blooms was amply demonstrated in mid-September 1991, when three light traps were placed in the vicinity of the 'Globe' at Durlston. A vase of freshly cut Nicotiana was placed next to one of these, and of the total of twenty-three adults recorded by daybreak, thirteen males and eight females were found within, on and around the 'Nicotiana' trap. Recorded in 33 (83%) of 40 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1885. Last Recorded in 2019. (Data up to end 2019) |