Noctuidae

73.012 Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species: The immigrant Slender Burnished Brass Thysanoplusia orichalcea has a narrower wing and the brassy area trailing out almost to a point in the centre near the base of the wing rather than stretching almost from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing. Scarce Burnished Brass Diachrysia chryson has an area of brassy scales only in the leading outer part of the wing.

Forewing: 16 to 19mm

Habitats: Woodland margins, marshes, fens, ditch and stream margins, rough grassland and gardens.

Habits: The moth flies from dusk when it nectars at the flowers of Buddleia, Red Valerian and Honeysuckle. It later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds nocturnally on Common Nettle and also White Dead-nettle, Wild Marjoram, Lesser Burdock, Spear Thistle and probably other herbaceous plants. During the day it hides low down on the foodplant. It pupates in a flimsy cocoon under a leaf.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on hawkbits, plantains and dandelion.