Erebidae

72.007 Beautiful Snout Hypena crassalis (Fabricius, 1787)

Local

Similar species: Females have a paler blotch and the outer area of the forewing is whiter than the male. The moth is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species.

Forewing: 14 to 16mm

Habitats: Open woodland with a ground cover of Bilberry, heathland and moorland.

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

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Bilberry or sometimes Heather and possibly Cross-leaved Heath and Bell Heather. It pupates in the leaf litter or just under the soil surface.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Bog Bilberry and nettles.