Noctuidae

73.225 Brindled Green Dryobotodes eremita (Fabricius, 1775)

Common

Similar species: Sombre Brocade Dryobotodes tenebrosa has a longer dark basal streak and larger orange area to the outer side of the kidney mark. Also an orange-brown irregular outer band across the wing. Southern Brindled Green Dryobotodes roboris is smaller (12 to 14mm) and has a pale band across the outer area of the forewing, as well as a dark blotch in the trailing corner.

Forewing: 15 to 17mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, parkland, hedgerows and more rural gardens.

Habits: The moth nectars at Ivy blossom and feeds at over-ripe berries. It comes to sugar and light.

Foodplant: The small larva feeds in a bud or immature flowers of Pedunculate Oak, Sessile Oak and sometimes Hazel and Hawthorn. When larger it feeds nocturnally on the leaves, hiding in a spun terminal shoot during the day. It pupates in a cocoon under the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Downy Oak.