63.038 BF1405  -  Crambidae -  Spilomelinae - Patania ruralis - Mother of Pearl - (Scopoli, 1763) Adult Micro:  CAT 1 - Distinctive Species -       PDF Icon - click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon - click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Blue -  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Micro  >> . >>  Crambidae Other Name/s: Pleuroptya ruralis ID Difficulty:  green  - easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: At rest with wings widespread, and in certain lighting conditions it shows a distinctive rainbow, mother of pearl lustre, with several deep wavy cross-lines. Hence it’s name. It is one of the largest of the British so called “micro moths”
Distribution:  A widespread and commonly recorded crambid across the recording area
Flight Period: July /  August /  -  One generation Moth Activity: Nocturnal   - active from dusk and attracted to light Photographed: Yes -  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 April 2025 by TD ***
Wingspan: 26-40mm
Food Plant: Primarily Nettle, but also Wych Elm, English Elm, Hops, Meadowsweet, Upright Pellitory
Recorded dates for Common [Blue codeBlue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

IMAGES BELOW:  

Melbourne – Tony Davison©

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