Noctuidae

73.033 Figure of Eight Diloba caeruleocephala (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species: This moth is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species due to the "8" wing marking.

Forewing: 15 to 19mm

Habitats: Downland scrub, hedgerows and gardens.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Blackthorn, Bullace, Hawthorn, Crab Apple, Bullace, wild roses, Cherry Plum, garden Pears and Plums and other Rosaceae. It pupates in a cocoon in a rolled leaf on the foodplant, attached to a stem, in the leaf litter or in loose soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Wild Cherry, Rowan, poplars and willows.