Noctuidae

73.229 Flame Brocade Trigonophora flammea (Esper, 1785)

Immigrant / Recent Colonist south coast

Similar species: Two French species as yet unrecorded in Britain or Ireland are similar. Trigonophora jodia is smaller (18 to 20mm) with white male hindwings rather than brownish grey. Trigonophera crassicornis is paler with longer filaments on the males antennae.

Forewing: 20 to 23mm

Habitats: Scrubby calcareous grassland, open wooded areas, parkland and marshy grassland.

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

Foodplant: The early stages have not been recorded in Britain. In captivity the larva accepts Lesser Celandine and other buttercups, chickweeds, Field Mouse-ear, grasses, Ash, privet, Blackthorn and Broom, preferring the woody species as it matures. It pupates in a cocoon under the soil.

On the European mainland it has been recorded feeding on buttercups, daffodils, Evergreen Oak, Ash, Wild Privet, Broom and cherry.