Taken at Aston, Oxon., on October 11th 2023.
(1/250th sec at f11. © David Hastings)

Description

Family: Noctuidae

Wing span: 28 - 34mm

This moth has a slightly hooked fore-wing which is yellow or orange-yellow, with reddish-brown, dark brown or pinkish markings, and usually a black spot in the trailing half of the kidney mark. The markings vary greatly in extent and intensity. Form flavescens has has an almost pure yellow fore-wing with very faint orange cross-lines. Form obsoleta is similar but is orange-yellow.

It is found throughout the British Isles.

It is most frequent in broad-leaved woodland, carr, marshes and fens, as well as other places where sallows grow.

There is one generation per year, September to October in the south, and August to early October in the north. It over-winters as an egg on the food-plant. It pupates in an underground cocoon.

Larvae feed on the catkins of sallows and poplars; later on herbaceous plants.

It comes to light and sugar, and feeds on Ivy flowers and over-ripe blackberries.

Sightings

11-Oct-2023

:

Aston, Oxon

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