73.001 BF2450  -  Noctuidae -  Plusiinae - Abrostola tripartita - The Spectacle Adult Macro:  CAT 2 - Can be confused with other species - Can be confused with other species       PDF Icon - click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

Blue -  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:  Dark Spectacle
ID pointers: Named after the markings on the front of the head which look like spectacles. A large thoracic tuft on top of thorax. Forewing is grey tinged with black, pink or lilac and dusted with white in places.. A prominent dark greyish-black cross-band through centre of wing that holds the oval and kidney marks that are edged black. Cross-lines are bordered brown and edged in black. There is a smoky blotch in the corner of each wing tip and a white outer cross-line.
Distribution:  A resident that is widely distributed and generally common in Derbyshire. Recorded from many sites across the county but mainly found in the southern lowland areas of the Trent Valley..
Flight Period: May /  June /  July /  August /  -  On the wing May – August.  Moth Activity: Nocturnal  Crepuscular   - active from dusk into the night Photographed: Yes -  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 11 March 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 27-30mm
Forewing: 15-17mm
Food Plant: Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Recorded dates for Common [Blue codeBlue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

IMAGES BELOW:  Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison © 

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