Family: Noctuidae Checklist Number: 73.044
Acronicta cinerea (Hufnagel, 1766)
Sweet Gale
A very scarce species with 22 records from just two sites on South Uist, as of 2024. Active from May to July over acid moorland and heathland. The larvae feed on moorland plants including bog myrtle (Myrica gale) and heather (Calluna vulgaris). A surprisingly elusive moth given its preferred habitat.
References:
Leverton, R. & Cubitt, M. (2024). The Larger Moths of Scotland.
Waring, P. & Townsend, M. (2018 third edition). Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland.