Taken at Aston, Oxon., on July 26th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f/10)

Description

Family: Noctuidae (ABH : 73.109)

Wing span: 34 - 40mm

The pale straw-yellow hindwing with a brown border, together with a broad, dark forewing, white outer cross-line, and thickset build, are diagnostic.

It is well distributed in southern Britain north to Lancashire and Yorkshire, but is very local in SW England and most of Wales. It is mainly coastal in Scotland.

It is found in gardens, parks and most open habitats.

There is one generation from late July to August. It over-winters as a small larva.

Larvae feed on grasses, including Annual Meadow-grass, Mat-grass and Silver-hair Grass.

It comes to light, sugar and flowers.

Earliest UK sighting: 24th July ; Latest UK sighting: 19th September

Sightings