Noctuidae

73.201 Pale Pinion Lithophane socia (Hufnagel, 1766)

Local

Similar species: Tawny Pinion Lithophane semibrunnea has a dark rectangular mark near the outer part of the trailing edge of the forewing. It usually has a dark blue-black rather than pale crest.

Forewing: 17 to 20mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, parkland and gardens.

Habits: The moth feeds on over-ripe blackberries and Ivy blossom and in the spring on sallow catkins. It also comes to sugar and sparingly to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on birches, oaks, sallows, apples, Bramble, Wild Privet, Horse Chestnut and other deciduous trees. In captivity it will accept docks, chickweeds and other plants. The full-fed larva spins a tough cocoon under the soil where it rests before it pupates about four weeks later.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Bird Cherry, Fly Honeysuckle and Goat Willow.