Lacanobia oleracea (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description: Wingspan 34-44 mm. Forewings are dark reddish brown. The orbicular stigmata is small with a fine white line and the reniform stigmata is dark orange. There is often a dusting of white scales near the basal part of the wing. Subterminal line is white, with two tooth-shaped projections that extend to the terminal border of the wing. Hindwings are whitish brown becoming darker towards the outer border with a small discal lunule.

Key Identification Features:

• Orange reniform stigmata
• White subterminal line with small toothed projections
• Discal lunule on heavily marked hindwings

Sets:

Flight Period: Early May to mid-August.

Status: Common and widespread found in all counties and on Rathlin Island, Antrim but most frequently encountered in Down and Armagh.

Ecology: Found in many habitats including suburban gardens. Adults come to light and also visit flowers, especially Red Valerian Centranthus ruber. The larvae feed from early summer to the autumn on a wide range of plants especially Atriplex spp. It overwinters as a pupa.

World Distribution: Throughout north and western Europe as far north as Finland.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2160 Agassiz number: 73.267

Additional information:

UK Moths account