Lennon (1863) stated it was very common in his 'List of Lepidoptera taken near Dumfries.' K. J. Morton of Edinburgh (1900) whilst on a visit in July 1899 to Wigtownshire had found this species in the Monreith area. Gordon (1919) found it to be common and generally distributed in gardens and woodsides in Wigtownshire. Earliest date was 1st May 1899, the latest being 23rd August 1906.
From 1915-69 we have only six records, with most of them lacking full data.
During the period 1974-92 six of the Rothamsted stations provided nearly half of our total records of this widespread moth. From 1992 to 2010 regular trapping at Kirkton and Durisdeer provided most of the records in this period, with further records from a variety of widespread sites across the region.
This form which is darker and less contrasting first occurred at New England Bay (VC74) on 5th September 2005, with a second record trapped at Milton (VC73) on 16th August 2013.
The extended flight period is associated with two annual generations, but there is much overlap. Overwinters as a pupa underground. Larvae are present June to late October.
Herbaceous plants of the cabbage family.
The blackish cross-band normally fades away on reaching the trailing edge and with three black or dark grey blotches on the greyish forewing is diagnostic.
Wide range of habitats. Larvae feed on wild plants in the cabbage family. Overwinters as a pupa.