Brown Silver-line - Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland

Petrophora chlorosata (Scopoli, 1763)

Description: Wingspan 31-37mm. Adults have reddish brown forewings with two darker cross-lines edged with white and a small discal spot. The hindwings are pale whitish brown.

Key Identification Features:

Darker cross-lines edged with white
Small discal spot
Forewings pointed at the apex

Sets:

Flight Period: From the end of April to late June.

Status: Widely distributed in southern counties but more sporadic further north. It has been recorded from Rathlin Island, Antrim.

Ecology: A species generally associated with heaths, bogs and damp woodland, where Bracken Pteridium aquilinum is plentiful. Adults are most often seen in moderate numbers at light from dusk onwards, but are occasionally encountered during the day by disturbing the ground vegetation (particularly Bracken). The larvae can be found from July to September on Bracken. It overwinters as a pupa.

World Distribution: Throughout Europe as far as Japan.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 1902 Agassiz number: 70.222

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar:

Thompson, R. S. & Nelson, B., 2003 (Oct 2). [In] The Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland
http://www.ulstermuseum.org.uk/lepidoptera/species.asp?item=5993

[Home]