Noctuidae

73.057 Striped Lychnis Cucullia lychnitis Rambur, 1833

Notable A

Similar species: Water Betony Cucullia scrophulariae and Mullein Moth Cucullia verbasci can only reliably be separated from this species by checking the genitalia, unless reared through from a larva.

Forewing: 18 to 21mm

Habitats: Open calcareous grassland, fallow fields, rough grassland, verges, embankments, woodland rides and clearings.

Habits: The moth occasionally comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds by day on the flowers and seeds of Dark Mullein and occasionally White Mullein, eating the leaves if the seeds are ripe. It basks in sunshine amongst the flowers. It will occasionally be found on garden mulleins. It pupates in a tough earth-covered cocoon in the leaf litter or in the soil.

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