Davey, P. 2009: A declined species occurring very locally on moorland in northern England, north Wales and Scotland, the larva is polyphagous on trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. In Dorset, the moth has disappeared as it has across much of southern Britain. It used to occur sparingly in a range of diverse habitats across the county, often in a rather drier biotype than that occupied by the Red Sword-grass2241. The following records refer: Sherborne, several (J Douglas), Bere Wood, one (E Curtis), scarce (O Pickard Cambridge), Bloxworth, scarce (O Pickard Cambridge), Gad Cliff, larva feeding on a ploughman’s spikenard flower bud on 25 June 1895 and emerged on 15 September 1895 (Reverend E Bankes), Morden, on 24 October 1937 (H Andrewes), Corfe Castle, at sallow blossom on 15 April 1886 (Reverend E Bankes), Nine Barrow Down, on 12 April 1922 (D Drury), Scar Bank, at light in 12 October 1930, 1937, 1 October and 16 October 1938 (A Russell), Durlston, larva on 3 June 1885 (Reverend E Bankes, Reverend C Digby), Hamworthy, three (W Parkinson Curtis), (E Curtis), Cranborne, one (F Fisher), one (W Parkinson Curtis), Parley, (S Scarsdale Brown).

The following are suspected immigrants, being recorded on dates coincident with south to south-westerly airflows from Iberia and western France: Portland Bird Observatory, at MV light on 3 December 1995 (M Cade), Swanage, on 12 October 1949 (G Youden), Durlston, at MV light on 21 October 1989 (P Davey). The moth occurs throughout Europe, often in wooded localities but it is usually uncommon.

The moth has very similar size, markings and posture to that of Red Sword-grass2241. Diagnostics include: absence of orange colouration on forewing; contrast between pale central forewing and dark base of forewing not as marked as it is in Red Sword-grass.

	Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Recorded in 6 (15%) of 40 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1885.
Last Recorded in 1995.
(Data up to end 2019)