Crambidae

63.025 Small Magpie Anania hortulata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species: A distinctive moth. The geometrid Magpie Moth Abraxas grossulariata is superficially similar as it has similar colouring, but has darker spots, a yellow band across the forewing and is much larger (18 to 25mm).

Forewing: 13 to 16mm

Habitats: Wasteground, hedgerows, woodland margins and gardens.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed during the day. It flies from dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds in a rolled leaf or amongst spun leaves of Common Nettle or occasionally Small Nettle, Hedge Woundwort, mints, Black Horehound, White Horehound and Field Bindweed. The full-fed larva overwinters, sometimes gregariously, in a transparent cocoon under bark or in dead stem where it pupates in May.

On the European mainland it has been recorded on Hedge Bindweed, Peppermint and Spotted Dead Nettle.