SCIENTIFIC NAME: ACRONICTA RUMICIS
VERNACULAR NAME: KNOT GRASS

Fig 1
ADULT Wingspan - 30 - 45mm. The most distinctive feature of this common moth are the curved white tooth marks near the rear edge of the forewing. A white, broken line along the outer margins is also diagnostic. The rest of the forewing is variably marked with dark and grey colours and the hindwing is greyish-brown.
CHRYSALIS Found in cocoon in leaf litter.
LARVA Black with a row of yellow and red dashes along each flank. The back has a row of white patches and yellow tufts of hair. Feeds on a variety of herbaceous plants including Sorrel, Mint, Hawthorn and Sallow.
BEHAVIOUR Attracted to light.
HABITAT Found usually in gardens, hedgerows and flowery meadows.
FLIGHT PERIOD May to July. A second brood can appear in Southern Britain between August and September.
STATUS Common throughout mainland Britain although more localised in Scotland.

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