73.35 BF2137

Great Brocade Eurois occulta

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Wingspan 50-60 mm.

Although resident in the Scottish Highlands, this species is more often noted as a migrant to the East Coast, especially further north.

The resident populations are quite dark, almost blackish, but the immigrants are usually much paler and greyer.

The resident moths fly in July and August; the immigrants generally appearing later, from late August to September.

Bog myrtle (Myrica gale) is the main foodplant, but other plants and bushes, such as sallow (Salix) and birch (Betula) are also eaten.