General comments:
Widespread and abundant. Potentially ubiquitous.
With over 4000 records in the database this striking 'pink elephant' is amongst the most frequently reported species in Hertfordshire. This is very largely due to the many reports of caterpillars received from the general public who find them wandering away from the their foodplant in search of a suitable subterranean spot in which to pupate and pass the winter. Most caterpillars are reported on Rosebay Willow-herb, but garden Fucshia plants are also very much a part of the caterpillar's diet.

Hertfordshire Notes:
Hodgson (1939) notes adults feeding from flowers of honeysuckle and rarely at sugar and flowing sap from pine at Ashridge.

Recorded in 39 (95%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1887.
Last Recorded in 2024.