Noctuidae

73.251 Silver Cloud Egira conspicillaris (Linnaeus, 1758)

Notable A

Similar species: If care is taken this moth is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species.

Forewing: 16 to 18mm

Habitats: Rough grassland, open fields, orchards, scrub, hedgerows and open woodland.

Habits: The moth will ccasionally visit Blackthorn flowers and come to sugar. It comes to light late at night.

Foodplant: The early stages have not been recorded in Britain. In captivity the larva accepts docks, Common Nettle, Knotgrass, trefoils, sallows, elms, oaks and Blackthorn. It pupates in a cocoon under the soil, resting inside the pupal case as a fully formed adult until it emerges in the spring.

On the European mainland it has been recorded feeding on Broom, Dyer’s Greenweed, Wormwood, sorrel, strawberries, Traveller's-joy, plums, maples, Ash, limes and cherries.