Noctuidae

73.054 Cudweed Cucullia gnaphalii (Hübner, [1813])

Extinct

Similar species: Scarce Wormwood Cucullia artemisiae has a narrower forewing and lacks the black bar in the trailing corner. Wormwood Cucullia absinthii has a narrower forewing with prominent black markings.

Forewing: 17 to 19mm

Habitats: Open woodland in warm, sheltered rides and clearings.

Habits: The moth nectars at flowers after dark and occasionally comes to light. A single larva was the last record in Britain at Beckley Woods on the East Sussex border in August 1979.

Foodplant: The larva feeds diurnally on the flowers of Goldenrod, resting openly while basking in the sunshine. It pupates in a silk and earth cocoon in the leaf litter or just under the soil surface.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Canadian Goldenrod, Common Mugwort, Southern Wormwood and Wormwood.