Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Male. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on April 29th 2022. (1/400th sec at f13. © David Hastings)  Female. Taken at Rodborough Common, Gloucs, on May 9th 2022. (1/1000th sec at f13. © David Hastings) DescriptionFamily: Erebidae Wing span: 34 - 38mm This moth has a broad forewing, with a variable number of black spots. The male has brown or grey-brown wings, whereas the female has slightly translucent white wings. It is generally smaller than similar species. It is widespread in England, Wales and Ireland. In Scotland it is local in the south. Habitats are usually open, including woodland, download, gardens, sand-dunes and hedgerows. There is one generation from April to early June. The pupa is the overwintering stage. Larvae feed on many herbaceous plants, including docks, plantains and Red Dead-nettle. The male is noctural, but the female is active by day and flies in sunshine. Sightings
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