Mniotype adusta (Esper, 1790)

Description: Wingspan 42-48 mm. Forewings are dark brown with paler stigmata. These are outlined with a fine pale line. The subterminal line is irregular and pale yellowish white with two tooth-shaped indents. There is a series of small black triangles along the terminal line. Hindwings are white with pale brown veining.

Key Identification Features:

• Double Tooth-shaped indents on subterminal line
• Small black triangles on the terminal border of the forewing
• White hindwings

Sets:

Flight Period: Mid-May to late July.

Status: Widely distributed across southern counties but not recorded to the north of Lough Neagh in recent times with the exception of Rathlin Island, Antrim.

Ecology: A species associated with damp woodland, heathland, fens and bogs. Adults appear in small numbers at light and they will also visit flowers. The larvae feed from July to September on grasses and other plants associated with wetland areas such as Bog Myrtle Myrica gale and Alder Alnus glutinosa. It overwinters as a mature larva.

World Distribution: Found in western Europe from Sierra Nevada in Spain to the Netherlands.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2250 Agassiz number: 73.238

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: