Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on August 27th 2021. (© David Hastings) (1/400th sec at f9)  Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on September 8th 2021. (© David Hastings) (1/400th sec at f10) DescriptionFamily: Noctuidae (ABH : 73.001) Wing span: 24 - 32mm This species has a grey shape, which resembles spectacles, on the thorax when viewed from the front. The fur on top of the thorax is piled up into a turret. The fore-wing is grey. A broad, blackish central band encloses the large blackish-outlined oval and kidney marks. The cross-lines are edged with reddish-brown. It is found in most of England, Wales and Ireland, but is scarce in most of Scotland. It occupies a range of habitats, often acidic, including rocky river valleys, marshes, hedgerows and gardens. In most regions there are one or two generations between May and October. It over-winters as a pupa. Larvae feed on Common Nettle. Unlike many moths it is active day and night. Earliest UK sighting: 17th April ; Latest UK sighting: 5th October Sightings
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