Morley's Final Catalogue: Scarcely rarer than the last, and as wide-spread. Uncommon about Ipswich (Baylis). Beccles, Lowestoft; Gorleston (Mr). Coddenham, Needham, Stowmarket, Bury, Tuddenham; Brandon in 1899 (Mly).

Recent Suffolk Status: Fairly common.

Life history: Double-brooded. The second brood is larger than the first brood. Commonly seen at light in small numbers and also at dusk feeding at Campion and Bladder campion flowers. Larvae are regularly found in Suffolk by checking seed and flower heads of Bladder campion, which if occupied by them have a small hole in the side. Small larvae stay in the seed pods, but larger larvae only feed at night, hiding underneath the plants in the daytime.

Identification: The similar Lychnis is brownish, not purple tinged and has the kidney mark and oval spots separated - these are joined on Campion.

Habitat: Woodland, hedgerows, gardens, road verges.

Recorded in 49 (84%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1899. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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