Identification

A very distinctive macro-moth, but Pyrausta aurata, a day-flying micro-moth from the Pyralid family is the confusion species. Specimen or quality photo required for record acceptance.

Recording Method.

A day flying moth. Flies in sunshine and feeds at flowers.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a pupa, in an underground cocoon. Larvae are present June and July.

Larval foodplants

Larvae feed on Common Mouse-ear and Field Mouse-ear seed capsules.

Habitat

Flower-rich grassland, like hay-meadows, roadside verges and soft-rock sea-cliffs.

History

Gordon (1913) caught one flying on the moor near Kennel Wood, Corsemalzie, at about mid-day in 1895. Others were seen in late June and mid July. But, I think a mistake has been made here because the habitat for this species is flower rich grassland and it only flies to early June.

The only record worthwhile of consideration is F. H. Day’s, when he saw it on the hillsides at Kippford in early June 1941 (F. H. Day, Ent. Rec. Journ. Var. 53: 95-95).