The earliest notification of this sub-species is published in Stephens (1829) with the Rev. William Little recording it at Raehills (VC72).

 

Stainton (1859) makes no mention of this moth in Scotland, but see above and also, the Rev. F. O. Morris had cited Glasgow as the only place in Scotland. However, Lennon (1863) stated that it was not common, but that it had occurred at Dalskairth (VC73).

 

Gordon (1919) under Tephrosia biundularia, Bork. had found it to be scarce at Corsemalzie, having caught a fine male of the pale race on a sycamore trunk by the tennis court there on 18th April 1912. This is extremely early and one can't help wondering if Gordon has made a mistake with this one.

 

Archibald Russell (1944) listed it as occurring near Gatehouse of Fleet (VC73) during the years 1942-43. Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Closeburn and Tynron (VC72).

 

E. C. Pelham-Clinton found it at Rockcliffe and Palnackie (VC73) in the mid 1960s. In 1971 one was trapped at Glentrool village (VC74), with four being trapped at Irvine House Lodge, Auchenrivock (VC72) in May and June 1974.

 

From 1978 to 2010 there were twenty records from sites as varied as Wood of Cree RSPB, Kilsture Forest, Hannaston Wood, Castle Loch at Lochmaben, Durisdeer and Southwick Coast SWT.

One generation. Overwinters as a underground pupa. Larvae present mid-June to early August.

 

Downy  and Silver Birch, Beech, sallows and possibly other broadleaved trees.

 

No diagnostic external or morphological characters exist in the adults or early stages to reliably separate it from The Engrailed. Use Waring et al. (2009) or Skinner (2009) to identify and record what you have determined. Also, noting whether the moth is fresh or not.

 

Mainly broadleaved woodland, but also in gardens, hedgerows and scrubby areas.

 

The Engrailed and the Small Engrailed on the continent are considered the same species. However, in the south The Engrailed is double-brooded and supposedly single-brooded in the north, but in NE Scotland It has been found to be double-brooded in the 21st century. See Ent Rec Journ Var 115: 153 and 223. Flight period in N. Ireland is early March to mid-May.