Taken at Aston, Oxon., on August 4th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(1/200th sec at f/11)

Description

Family: Crambidae (ABH : 63.095)

Wing span: 20 - 26mm

This moth has a pale sandy brown fore-wing, appearing slightly glossy, variably speckled brownish, with an indistinct pale streak, and with an oblique elbowed cross-line at about one-half. Another cross-line at about three-quarters is strongly elbowed at the apex. The cilia are silvery metallic.

It can be found in most of the British Isles, but is more local in Scotland.

Habitats are dry areas, including calcareous and sandy grasslands, grassy heath-lands, sand dunes, occasionally gardens.

The flight period is from late June to September.

Larvae feed on grasses

It is readily disturbed by day, and comes to light.

Earliest UK sighting: 4th August ; Latest UK sighting: 17th September

Sightings