Noctuidae

73.027 Silver Barred Deltote bankiana (Fabricius, 1775)

RDB / Immigrant

Similar species: This moth is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species.

Forewing: 10 to 12mm

Habitats: Marshes, fens, peat bogs and damp chalk grassland.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed in the day. It flies from dusk and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds nocturnally on Purple Moor-grass, Smooth Meadow Grass and probably other grasses. In captivity it will accept Annual Meadow-grass. It pupates low in the grass near the foodplant.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Wood Small-reed, Tufted Hair-grass, Annual Meadow-grass and Cyperus spp.