Morley's Final Catalogue: Rare, and usually found singly, but quite widely distributed. Ipswich (Ml); Waldringfield, singly annually but several on sugar in June 1899 (Wlr); Bury (Skepper); Tuddenham in 1891 (W. M. Christy), Barton Mills in 1930 (Wiltshire), Brandon (Barrett). Gorleston in July 1923, 1927 and 1930 (Mr). Henham in early August 1937 (Btn).

Recent Suffolk Status: Local in the Sandlings and Breck, with scattered records at other sites across the county. Suffolk is one of the strongholds for this scarce species in the UK.

Life history: Single-brooded. Adults emerge in May and June, then aestivate until August/September before appearing again. Adults have been disturbed in the daytime in heathland habitat and have also been noted in Suffolk on Heather flowers after dark.
Larval habits and habitat have been well-studied in the county. They can be found, sometimes in quite big numbers, early in the year at night in areas of sparse or tussocky acid grassland, mainly feeding on fine-leaved grasses such as Sheep's fescue and Wavy Hair grass. Areas which are invaded by Bracken or colonized by a lot of Heather soon become unsuitable. Regular disturbance of the soil at heathland sites in both the Brecks and the Sandlings for the benefit of some heathland bird species is creating much suitable habitat for this moth.

Identification: Large yellow underwing also has a black mark in the corner of the forewing but is a much larger moth. Lesser yellow underwing is slightly larger and lacks the black mark in the wing corner.

Habitat: Heathland, acid grassland, wide grassy rides in forestry plantations and woods on sandy soils.

Recorded in 45 (78%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1891. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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