Noctuidae

73.147 Small Dotted Buff Photedes minima (Haworth, 1809)

Common

Similar species: Plain forms are superficially similar to the smaller (10 to 12mm), plain buff form of Cloaked Minor Mesoligia furuncula, but otherwise the finely dashed cross-lines and brownish blotch on the outer leading edge should mean that if care is taken this moth is unlikely to be mistaken for other British or Irish species.

Forewing: 11 to 14mm

Habitats: Marshy grassland, woodland rides, marshes and occasionally gardens.

Habits: The male flies from dusk and comes to sugar and light. The smaller female rests on the stems of the foodplant and only occasionally comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds inside a stem of Tufted Hair-grass and probably other grasses, then eats out a chamber at the base of the plant. It pupates in a cocoon under the soil.