Helotropha leucostigma (Hubner, 1808)

Description: Wingspan 37-44 mm. Forewings variable in colour, ranging from light to deep mahogany brown with a small pale yellow-coloured reniform stigma. Antemedian and post median lines not clearly defined. There is a series of small white dashes along the costal edge of the forewing. Hindwings light smoky brown with darker veining. In the darker colour form there is a wide light-coloured band running obliquely across the termen area of the forewing.

Key Identification Features:

Small pale yellow-coloured reniform stigma
• White dashes along the costa
• Pale band in the darker colour at the termen

Sets:

Flight Period: mid-July until early September.

Status: Common and widely distributed across all counties including Rathlin Island, Antrim.

Ecology: A species found mainly in marshy woodland, fens and other lush wetland habitats incorporating Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus, bur-reed Sparganium and various sedges Carex spp. Adults are attracted to light in small numbers and also to the flowers of rushes Juncus spp. and can be found after dark at rest on various reed stems. Individuals can appear in traps well away from its regular habitat. The larvae feed from March to July on iris and other wetland plants. It overwinters as an egg.

World Distribution: Eurasiatic; found throughout western Europe from northern France as to Sweden and Finland.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2368 Agassiz number: 73.119

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: