73.043 BF2287

Scarce Dagger Acronicta auricoma

([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

---

Wingspan 36-42 mm.

Formerly resident in the south-east of England, it became extinct as a breeding species in the early 1900s. Since then, around a dozen immigrant examples have been found, mainly along the south and south-east coast.

It has two generations, flying in May and June, and again from mid-July to August, and occupies mainly wooded areas.

The larvae feed on a range of foodplants including oak (Quercus) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).