73.333 BF2120 - Ingrailed Clay - Noctuidae - Diarsia mendica

73.333 BF2120 - Noctuidae - Noctuinae - Diarsia mendica - Ingrailed Clay

Adult Macro: CAT 2 - Can be confused with other species -

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Generally Common / Widespread

Taxonomy: Macro >> Noctuidae

ID Difficulty: amber

- care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely - quality photographs required.
Confusion Species: Purple clay, Barred Chestnut, Small Square-spot

ID pointers: An extremely variable species. The forewing is usually intricately marbled and the oval and kidney markings are well marked. There is usually a blackish or brownish square shape splitting them apart. The ground colour can be a combination of orange-yellows through to dark browns.There is usually a tiny black spot in the central forewing area near to the trailing edge. See ID Guide by Christian Heintzen below.

Distribution: A resident species that is widely distributed and generally common throughout Derbyshire. This extremely variable moth is found in all areas of the county.

Flight Period: June / July / August / - On the wing June – August.

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - is attracted to light and sugar

Wingspan: 28-35mm
Forewing: 13-17mm

Food Plant: Bramble (Rubus) and Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).

Recorded dates for Common [Blue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

IMAGES BELOW: Melbourne, South Derbyshire – Tony Davison© – ID Guide by Christian Heintzen©