Taken at Aston, Oxon., on May 20th 2022. (© David Hastings)
(1/160th sec at f13)

Description

Family: Noctuidae (ABH : 73.334)

Wing span: 24 - 32mm

This moth has a pale or dark pinkish-brown forewing, which is barred and clouded with reddish or dark-brown. Second-generation individuals tend to be smaller and darker.

It is well distributed and common throughout the British Isles.

It is most abundant in damp woodland and other marshy places. It is frequent in many gardens.

There are two generations in in most of southern Britain and Ireland, May to June and August to September. There is usually one generation further north.

Larvae feed on a range of herbaceous species, including Dandelion, docks and Foxglove. It over-winters as a larva.

It comes to light, and feeds at sugar and flowers.

Earliest UK sighting: 20th May ; Latest UK sighting: 26th September

Sightings