Noctuidae

73.021 Scarce Silver Y Syngrapha interrogationis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Local / Immigrant

Similar species: Scar Bank Gem Ctenoplusia limbirena has a similar forewing marking in that it may be whole or in two parts, but the outer solid part is a long outward pointing oval, rather than a small patch of scales or a round marking. Ni Moth Trichoplusia ni is a brown-grey moth rather than black and white and has the outer part of the central marking as a diamond shape or long outward pointing oval.

Forewing: 15 to 18mm

Habitats: Moorland, but it will visit nearby gardens.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed from Heather during the day and sometimes flies in sunshine. It flies from dusk when it nectars at flowers and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Heather, Bilberry (on which it skeletonises the leaves) and Bog Bilberry. It pupates in a flimsy cocoon attached to the foodplant.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on birches.