Status and Distribution
Scarce, occuring very locally in the central Highlands of Scotland.
National Status:
Bradley & Fletcher no:
Provisional Map
Maps updated with all data received by January 2022.
Foodplant and Larval Feeding Signs
Juniperus communis (common juniper), see plant distribution map.
In dense silken spinnings amongst the needles.
Foodplant Map
Habitat
The lower slopes of mountains and glens in sheltered south facing areas adjacent to or amongst open woodland, but apparently not on juniper plants under trees.
Finding the Moth
Larva: in a silken spinning amongst the needles. The species has a mixed development strategy with larvae being fully fed by early September (occasionally pupating by then). Alternatively the species will overwinter as an egg or small larva (currently not known which), feeding up in the spring until June.
Adult: can be beaten from the foodplant and is attracted to light.
Similar Species
The distinctive palps, pale greyish forewing colour with black outer edging along the termen and a few black central spots are distinctive.
Larval Occurrence
Flight Period
Single-brooded from mid-June to the end of July. There has been a single confirmed record of an adult on the 9th September 2011. There are only a very limited number of reports of the adult, most having been bred.