73.255 BF2145 - The Nutmeg - Noctuidae - Anarta trifolii

73.255 BF2145 - Noctuidae - Hadeninae - Anarta trifolii - The Nutmeg

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

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Rare / Uncommon / Scarce

Taxonomy: Macro >> Noctuidae

ID Difficulty: green

- easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.

ID pointers: Ground colour is greyish brown with paler cream markings and cross-lines. The kidney mark is rather large almost reaching the leading edge of the wing. One half is dark. The oval is large and nondescript. The outer cross-line (nearest wing tip) has a distinctive “W” shape close to the trailing edge.

Distribution: (Last record: 14/08/2024 at Staveley ) - A resident that has been reported as widely distributed and locally common in Derbyshire. In recent years It seems to have become rather scarce, with very few records being received. It now seems to be a species confined to the southern Trent Valley, with only a few isolated records from other areas of the county. Its national distribution has decreased significantly since 2000.

Flight Period: May / June / July / August / September / - On the wing May – June and late July – September – two overlapping generations

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

Wingspan: 30-35mm
Forewing: 14-18mm

Food Plant: Orache (Atriplex) , Goosefoot (Chenopodium).

Last Recorded Date: 14/08/2024

Last Recorded By: Sid Morris

Last Recorded General Area: Staveley

No First Date Information Recorded