Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Taken at Aston, Oxon., on March 22nd 2022. (1/400th sec at f11. © David Hastings) DescriptionFamily: Noctuidae Wing span: 32 - 40mm This moth is extremely variable. In the south and east of England the ground colour is most frequently blackish or or dark reddish brown, with obscure markings. Further north and west paler forms are more frequent. The forewing is somewhat variable in shape, but is usually fairly sharp-tipped and rather rough in appearance. It is found throughout the British Isles. It is most abundant in woodland, but occurs in many habitats where trees and shrubs are present. There is one generation per year, from late February/early March to May. It overwinters as a pupa in an underground cocoon, with the adult fully formed inside. Larvae feed on a wide range of broad-leaved trees, particularly oaks and sallows. It comes to light and sugar, and feeds at sallow catkins and Blackthorn flowers. Sightings
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