BEAUTIFUL GOTHIC

ADULT: Wingspan 28-36mm.   A quite beautiful moth that is easily recognised due to the individualistic markings. The forewings are a deep olive-brown with a network of whitish veins. The oval and kidney marks are readily seen and are of a prominent pale gold or buff with subtle darker shadings. The antennae are bipectinate in the male, simple and sparsely setose in female. The thorax has an anterior tuft. LARVA: The larva feed during the night on Common Couch, Annual Meadow-Grass and other grasses. During the early part of the year the glutted and mature larva spins a cocoon in the soil in which it rests until pupation in late May or early June. BEHAVIOUR:  Attracted to light. HABITAT: Has a preference for well drained coastal grassland slopes, sea-cliffs and quarries. FLIGHT PERIOD: On the wing during September and October and sometimes as early as August. STATUS: Immigrant.