Noctuidae

73.051 Scarce Wormwood Cucullia artemisiae (Hufnagel, 1766)

Immigrant

Similar species: Wormwood Cucullia absinthii has prominent black markings on the forewing. Cudweed Cucullia gnaphalii has a broader forewing and a black bar in the trailing corner.

Forewing: 16 to 19mm

Habitats: In Europe it inhabits dry sunny slopes, fallow fields, dry meadows and road verges.

Habits: Most records are from light apart from a larva found on Mugwort in 1971 at Nazeing, Essex.

Foodplant: The early stages are not fully recorded in the wild in Britain. On the European mainland the larva feeds on the flowers and seed-heads of Wormwood, Sea Wormwood, Southern Wormwood, Field Wormwood, Mugwort or occasionally Tansy, mayweeds, campions and catchflys. It overwinters in a tough cocoon under the soil.