Noctuidae

73.103 Marsh Moth Athetis pallustris (Hübner, [1808])

RDB

Similar species: The moth is distinctive, although it can have a darker forewing. The male has a narrow, pale brown to dark grey-brown forewing with a small dark kidney mark and very small oval. The inner central cross-line is zig-zagged and the outer central cross-line is curved and toothed on the outside. There is a suffused outer cross-line. The female is similar but a lot smaller with a much more rounded forewing.

Forewing: M 15 to 16mm, F 9 to 11mm

Habitats: The drier parts of fens, marshy grassland, dune-slacks and sand-dunes.

Habits: The female has been recorded more than once flying in hot afternoon sunshine. The male comes to light and has been recorded at sugar.

Foodplant: The larva feeds in a short sward on Ribwort Plantain, Meadowsweet and probably other low herbaceous plants. The full-fed larva pupates in the leaf litter.