Noctuidae

73.059 Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula (Hufnagel, 1766)

RDB

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

Forewing: 14 to 15mm

Habitats: Coastal vegetated shingle and other coastal areas suitable for toadflax species. Inland on wasteground, railway embankments, road verges and gardens.

Habits: The moth flies from dusk when it visits flowers such as Red Valerian and soon after comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds during the day on Purple Toadflax or sometimes Common Toadflax and less often on Pale Toadflax or Small Toadflax. It pupates in a tough cocoon covered in plant debris and attached to the seed-pods of the foodplant, fence posts, walls or other objects.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Alpine Toadflax.