Hypena proboscidalis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description: Wingspan 36-42 mm. Forewings chocolate brown, pointed with a darker median band finely edged with a dark line and a small apical streak. Antemedian line strongly angled; postmedian line straight. Hindwings fuscous, darker towards the termen.

Key Identification Features:

• Sharply angled antemedian line
• Pointed apex on forewing with a small dark apical streak
• Dark hindwings

Sets:

Flight Period: Mid-June to late August.

Status: A common and widespread species recorded from all counties including Rathlin Island.

Ecology: A summer species found in a variety of habitats including woodland, suburban gardens and waste ground. Adults are attracted to light and flowers especially Buddleia Buddleja davidii. It can occasionally be disturbed from low-growing vegetation during the day. The larvae feed from the autumn to May on Common Nettle Urtica dioica. It overwinters as a larva.

World Distribution: Eurasiatic; common across western Europe to the Arctic Circle.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2477 Agassiz number: 72.003

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: