73.069 BF2243 - Early Grey - Noctuidae - Xylocampa areola

73.069 BF2243 - Noctuidae - Psaphidinae - Xylocampa areola - Early Grey

Adult Macro: CAT 1 - Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others -

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Generally Common / Widespread

Taxonomy: Macro >> Noctuidae

ID Difficulty: green

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

ID pointers: An unmistakable spring-time moth that is an ash-grey with various black markings across the forewing. The oval and kidney mark are pale and there is an additional oval joined to the first that is a diagnostic feature. A prominent tuft on top of the thorax.

Distribution: A resident that is widely distributed and locally common in Derbyshire. Well established throughout the lowland areas of the south and east of the county but scarce or even absent from the upland areas of the north.

Flight Period: March / April / May / - On the wing March – May.

Moth Activity: Nocturnal

Wingspan: 32-40mm
Forewing: 15-18mm

Food Plant: Honeysuckle (Lonicera).

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