Double Square-spot - Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland

Xestia triangulum (Hufnagel, 1766)

Description: Wingspan 36-46 mm. Forewings are ochreous brown with two small black square-shaped markings finely outlined in a paler colour. There is also a small black mark near the apex of the forewing. Hindwings are similar in colour to the forewings with darker veining.

Key Identification Features:

Small black square-shaped markings on forewings
Dark-coloured hindwings with darker veining

Sets:

Flight Period: Mid June to late August.

Status: Common and widespread in southern counties, local in the north.

Ecology: This is typically a woodland species, although it is also found on some heaths and bogs. Adults are attracted to light and flowers. The larvae feed from September to the following spring on Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, willow Salix spp. birch Betula spp. and Bramble Rubus fruticosus. It overwinters as a larva.

World Distribution: Throughout western Europe as far north as central Scandinavia and south to Spain.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2128 Agassiz number: 73.361

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=6219

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