Davey, P., 2009: A widespread species in England and Wales but absent from Scotland, the larva is polyphagous. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and generally at low density. It is locally frequent in gardens and allotments in towns and villages, where it is "often in the larval stage, destructive to china aster and gladioli." (W Parkinson Curtis ms), and rises to common in chalky river valleys. Traps run in the vicinity of larch (Larix spp.), notably at Piddles Wood, Stubhampton and Chase Woods, have produced relatively high numbers of moths. The national norm is for a single brood in July and August, but in Dorset the range of dates is slightly earlier between mid-June and mid-August. There is a partial second brood in late August and early September in some seasons; the following light trap records refer: Gillingham, 25 August 1995 (G Hopkins), Winterborne Stickland, 1 September 2006 (LdW), Wareham, 27 August 2008 (Mrs B Young), Swanage, 30 August 2008 (Mrs P England), Arne, 23 August 1987, 29 August 1992 (B Pickess), Wimborne, 27 August 2007 (R Steedman).

Recorded in 39 (98%) of 40 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1934.
Last Recorded in 2023.
(Data up to end 2023)