Ochropleura plecta (Linnaeus, 1761)

Description: Wingspan 28-34mm. A distinctive moth; forewings range from purplish brown to chestnut brown, with a pale costal streak that runs from the basal area and fades out well short of the apex; stigmata straw-coloured, with a dark line. Hindwings glossy white with pale brown at the outer margin.

Key Identification Features:

• Pale costal streak
• Dark black line through stigmata
• Glossy white wings

Sets:

Flight Period: Double-brooded, adults have been recorded right through from early May until the end of September, but more abundant in June and July and again in late August and September.

Status: Widespread and common throughout all counties including Rathlin Island.

Ecology: Found in a wide variety of habitats including woodland, marshes and gardens. Adults appear frequently at light and also visit various flowers, particularly Ragwort Senecio jacobaea. The larvae feed throughout the summer until late autumn on dock Rumex spp., plantain Plantago spp. and probably other lower growing plants. It overwinters as a pupa.

World Distribution: Holarctic species; found across Europe including Finland and North Africa.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2102 Agassiz number: 73.329

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: