Large Heath larval foodplant

[tomdunbar]

Hi
Having recorded Large Heaths at 3 sites here in Cumbria in recent days (more to come when the rain stops), I am very aware of the attached plant (photo) always being present amongst the colonies. It's not the normal larval foodplant referenced for LH in the text books i.e. Cottongrass, Jointed Rush, but could it be a further one?. I will return to a top site in the weeks to come and hopefully find an ovopositing female to answer my question.
Any plant experts out there who could id this plant?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Tom Dunbar

[Mark Colvin]

Hi Tom,

Your plant is Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum). It is not, to my knowledge, used as a larval food plant by the Large Heath. The primary larval foodplant is Hare's-tail Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum). Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium) and Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus) are also used.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark