Visits flowers, such as those of the hostplant and Viper's Bugloss, and comes to light. Occasionally found by day at rest on posts.

Size

  • Small/Medium Sized 
  • Wing Span Range (male to female) - 30-38mm

Conservation status

  • UK BAP: Priority Species
  • Red Data Book

Caterpillar Description

Overwinters as a pupa. The larva feeds mainly at night on the seeds and seed capsules of the foodplant, resting by day on the seedheads when young, larger larvae being found at the base of the plant.

Particular Caterpillar Food Plants

Nottingham Catchfly (Silene nutans)

Distribution

  • Countries – England
  • Very local along the south coast of England, with a stronghold on Dungeness, Kent. Elsewhere found in Hampshire, Dorset and Devon. Occasionally wanders from the breeding sites and has been recorded in Surrey, East Sussex and the Isle of Wight.
  • Distribution Trend Since 1970’s = Britain: Stable

Habitat

Vegetated shingle and chalk or limestone coasts and cliffs.