Male. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on October 21st 2025. (© David Hastings)
(Canon R6+RF100, f/11, 1/200th, ISO6400, 100mm)

Description

Family: Noctuidae (ABH : 73.033)

Wing span: 30 - 34mm

This moth has a grey fore-wing which is tinged with lilac and brown. The two yellowish-white central marks on the fore-wing are diagnostic. The inner one resembles the number 8.

It is quite widely distributed in England and eastern Wales, but there has been a large reduction in abundance in recent years, so must be regarded as local rather than common.

It can be found in most places that the larval food-plants grow, including gardens, hedgerows and woodland.

There is one generation per year, from late September to mid-November. The egg is the over-wintering stage.

Larval food-plants include Blackthorn, hawthorns, Crab Apple, wild roses and fruit trees.

It comes to light.

Earliest UK sighting: 21st October ; Latest UK sighting: 25th October

Sightings