Davey, P., 2009: A local species restricted to the lowland heaths of southern England, the larva feeding on heather (Erica spp.). In Dorset, the moth is common to abundant on heathland. The moth has been observed in every month except December. The species appears to be double brooded, the first brood flying from mid-March to late April, with a second in July and August; the second brood is appreciably larger in number than the first. A significant number of moths are also on the wing during September right through to mid-October, and these may constitute a partial third brood. Occasionally, the Horse Chestnut is trapped at light well away from heather terrain, and these are likely to refer to dispersed individuals from the Poole Basin: Walditch on 21 July 2003 (M Parsons), Portland, on 18 October 1997, 25 July 1999 (M Cade), St Albans Head, on 11 August 1986, 7 August 1992 (P Davey). The recommendation for conservation agencies that manage heathland sites is to include this species in management plans and maintain a vibrant mosaic of different-aged heather communities on dry heathland blocks for it.

Recorded in 26 (65%) of 40 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1932.
Last Recorded in 2019.
(Data up to end 2019)