Taken at Aston, Oxon., on September 7th 2026. (© David Hastings)
(Canon R62+RF100, f/11, 1/250th, ISO 8000, 100mm)

Description

Family: Noctuidae (ABH : 73.093)

Wing span: 26 - 30mm

This moth is somewhat similar to the Pale Mottled Willow, but is more thickset, has a pale grey fore-wing when fresh, and the is no dark band along the outer edge. It has three distinct black spots on the leading edge. The oval and kidney marks are dark and contrast with the wing ground colour. The oval is very small.

It is probably resident in southern coastal counties of England, but as an immigrant it can turn up further inland.

It can be found anywhere there are suitable larval food-plants.

There are two generations in Britain, June to July and September to October.

In Europe larvae feed on a wide range of low-growing herbaceous plants.

It comes to light.

Earliest UK sighting: 7th September

Sightings