Noctuidae

73.123 Rosy Rustic Hydraecia micacea (Esper, 1789)

Common

Similar species: Butterbur Hydraecia petasitis is a large (19 to 21mm) brown moth with a broader wing and a "W" in the middle of the outer cross-line.

Forewing: 14 to 21mm

Habitats: Marshes, fens, woodland rides, hedgerows, rough grassland, disturbed wasteground and gardens.

Habits: The moth will sometimes visit flowers and sugar. It comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva initially feeds in the stems and then in the roots of Broad-leaved Dock, Ribwort Plantain, Field Woundwort, Sea Lavender, Hop, Lesser Burdock, horse-tails, Flag Iris, Potato, Tomato, Raspberry, Garden Strawberry and many other low-growing plants. It is considered an economic pest in many countries. It pupates in the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Butterbur, Colt's-foot, sweet-grass, Cock's-foot, Meadowsweet and oraches.