The Herald favours broadleaved woodland, hedgerows and gardens, in fact anywhere its food plants willow, aspen and other poplars grow.  Most often found feeding after dark at flowers including ivy.  It can be attracted to sugar and also comes to light in small numbers. During the winter it hibernates as an adult and large groups can sometimes be found in derelict buildings, outhouses, caves or tunnels where they are a favourite prey of some bat species.