Noctuidae

73.017 Plain Golden Y Autographa jota (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species: Beautiful Golden Y Autographa pulchrina has a darker more ornate forewing with distinct oval and kidney marks, although there are slightly paler more reddish forms.

Forewing: 17 to 21mm

Habitats: Woodland rides, hedgerows, herb-rich grassland, downland and gardens.

Habits: The moth flies from dusk when it nectars at flowers. It later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Common Nettle, White Dead-nettle, Red Dead-nettle, Dandelion, Groundsel, Bilberry, Hemp Agrimony, Hogweed, Honeysuckle and other herbaceous plants. In captivity it accepts Common Chickweed, docks, sallows and Hawthorn. It pupates in a flimsy cocoon on the underside of a leaf of the foodplant.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Common Hemp-nettle, Hedge Woundwort and clary.