Erebidae

72.073 Small Marbled Eublemma parva (Hübner, [1808])

Immigrant

Similar species: This moth is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species, but there are forms of this moth on the European mainland where the outer areas of the forewing have a similar colour to the larger (11 to 12mm) Beautiful Marbled Eublemma purpurina.

Forewing: 7 to 8mm

Habitats: In Europe it inhabits open arid grassland, dry slopes and road verges.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva has occasionally been recorded in Britain. It feeds on the flowers of Common Fleabane or Ploughman's-spikenard. It pupates in a cocoon spun to the flowers of the foodplant.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on knapweeds, cudweeds, Dwarf Everlasting and Elecampane.