Morley's Final Catalogue: No more frequent than the last kind, but oftener noticed: occurs with it. Copdock (Hocking), Bentley (Gibbs) on sugar, and sparingly on banks of Orwell at Ipswich (Mly), a few at Hemley (Wlr); Glemham Magna (Bloomfield), Needham (L), Bury (Skepper); Henham (Btn), Bungay (Mn), Beccles (Crf), Fritton in August (Ml).
Recent Suffolk Status: Local. Usually recorded in small numbers at light.
Life history: Single-brooded. Larvae have been found in the county feeding at night in spring on various low growing plants including Nettles.
Identification: The dark-greyish, often slightly purplish colour plus the thick blackish outer band distinguishes this species from similar ones.
Habitat: Woodland and scrub areas. Recorded in 41 (71%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1940. Last Recorded in 2023. |