Noctuidae

73.016 Beautiful Golden Y Autographa pulchrina (Haworth, 1809)

Common

Similar species: Plain Golden Y Autographa jota usually has a paler, reddish forewing that is less ornate with indistinct oval and kidney marks.

Forewing: 17 to 20mm

Habitats: Woodland rides and clearings, hedgerows, scrubby grassland, downland, heathland, moorland and gardens.

Habits: The moth nectars on flowers from dusk and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva is polyphagous and feeds on Common Nettle, White Dead-nettle, Hedge Woundwort, Common Ragwort, Wood Avens, burdocks, Groundsel, Honeysuckle and other herbaceous plants. It pupates in a flimsy cocoon in a folded leaf of the foodplant

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Bilberry, birches, Rowan, Globe Flower, Goldenrod and Lungwort.