Noctuidae

73.215 Lesser-spotted Pinion Cosmia affinis (Linnaeus, 1767)

Local

Similar species: Lunar-spotted Pinion Cosmia pyralina has a more extensive white marking on the leading edge of a darker reddish forewing. The paler round oval with a dot in the centre is usually absent or not well marked. White-spotted Pinion Cosmia diffinis has much larger and brighter white markings on the leading edge of the forewing.

Forewing: 12 to 16mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, shelterbelts, hedgerows and elm scrub.

Habits: The moth comes to sugar and light from early in the evening.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on English Elm, Small-leaved Elm, Wych Elm and probably other elms. Larger larvae will also eat other moth larvae. It pupates in a cocoon in the leaf litter.

On the European mainland it has occasionally been recorded feeding on oak.