Noctuidae

73.220 Minor Shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis (Fabricius, 1776)

Common

Similar species: Although superficially similar to some of the "minors", they are smaller (10 to 12 or 13mm), lack basal streaks and rarely mainly grey in colour.

Forewing: 13 to 15mm

Habitats: Deciduous damp woodland, marshes, fens, pond and river margins and occasionally gardens.

Habits: The moth nectars at flowers and comes to sugar and light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds at first within a spun terminal shoot and then between folded leaves of Aspen, Grey Willow or other sallows and willows. It pupates in the leaf litter or just under the soil.

On the European mainland it has been recorded feeding on Goat Willow, Osier and Eared Willow.