Satellite is a scarcely recorded moth in Caithness and this one caught last night in a broadleaf woodland is only the third record since 1974. However, it is possibly commoner than records suggest and probably under recorded because of its flight period. It emerges in October and over winters as an adult. It may become active in the winter in mild weather but is more likely to be seen again in early spring. It takes its name from the white kidney mark with the two white dots, the "satellites", next to it. The colour of the dots and the kidney mark can vary from white to orange brown. The larva feed on a wide variety of broadleaved trees but when older they also prey on the larva of other moth species.