Blackneck (Lygephila pastinum) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Taken at Aston, Oxon., on June 24th 2026. (© David Hastings) (Canon R6+RF100, f/8, 1/250th, ISO3200, 100mm) DescriptionFamily: Erebidae (ABH : 72.063) Wing span: 36 - 42mm This moth has a rather slender body and fairly large wings. The head and collar are are dark brown, often appearing black. The forewing is a light pastel grey. There is a rather elongated kidney mark, and the oval is reduced to a dot. It is found in most of England, excluding the south-west. It is largely coastal in south and west Wales, and almost absent from Scotland. Habitats are unimproved damp pasture, water- and hay-meadows, fens, marshland, dry calcareous grassland, and damp woodland. There is one generation in June and July. It overwinters as a small larva. Larvae feed mainly on Tufted Vetch. It is easily disturbed during the day, visits flowers, and comes to light. Earliest UK sighting: 13th June ; Latest UK sighting: 5th July Sightings
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