Noctuidae

73.259 Pale Shining Brown Polia bombycina (Hufnagel, 1766)

RDB

Similar species: Although in Britain this moth is usually pale brown it is is variable in colour from rufous brown to grey and red. European specimens may look similar to a darker Silvery Arches Polia hepatica without the white cross-lines.

Forewing: 19 to 23mm

Habitats: Rough grassland and scrub, open woodland and arable fields.

Habits: The moth visits many species of flowers including White Campion, Bladder Campion, Wood Sage and Viper's Bugloss. It is attracted to sugar and light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Broad-leaved Dock and probably many other herbaceous plants and shrubs. In captivity it accepts Dandelion, Knotgrass, sow-thistles, lettuce, Restharrow, Grey Willow, White Willow and sliced carrot. It pupates in the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Rowan, Bird Cherry, birches, Grey Alder, Field Wormwood, Wormwood, Mugwort, Tansy, Burnet Saxifrage, Pasque Flower, Wild Angelica, Lady's Bedstraw, hawkweeds, Heather and Bramble.