Erebidae

72.0735 Pink-barred Eublemma Eublemma cochylioides (Guenée, 1852)

Immigrant

Similar species: The cream and brown form of this moth is most similar to Small Marbled Eublemma parva, but has two pale blotches in the trailing corner of the wing which are both edged with black on the outer side. There are forms of this moth where the outer areas of the forewing have a similar pink colour to the larger (11 to 12mm) Beautiful Marbled Eublemma purpurina.

Forewing: 7 to 8mm

Habitats: Known from western and southern Europe Spain, Portugal, Canaries, Italy and Greece to South Africa across to Japan, India, Taiwan and Hong Kong and and migrates even further south as far as Australia. It inhabits open semi-arid grassland and dry slopes.

Habits: The first British record was from Royston, Hertfordshire, in August 2022. The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds in the spun flowers and fruit of plants in the family Asteracea (daisies), including the dwarf shrub Spiny Cankerweed or Bitter Lettuce Launaea arborescens) and the sub-tropical Elephant's Foot Elephantopus spp. It pupates in a cocoon spun to the flowers of the foodplant.