Noctuidae

73.271 Broom Moth Ceramica pisi (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species: The bright outer cross-line running into a large blotch in the trailing corner is enough to identify this species.

Forewing: 16 to 20mm

Habitats: Heathland, moorland, broad woodland rides, acid bogs and occasionally marshland.

Habits: The moth sometimes visits flowers in warm sunshine. It visits sugar and light after dark.

Foodplant: The larva is mainly nocturnal, feeding on Heather, Broom, Silver Birch, Downy Birch, elms, sallows, larches, Bramble, Sea-buckthorn, Bog Myrtle, Bracken, docks, plantains, Common Toadflax, Bog Asphodel, Common Persicaria and other herbaceous and woody plants. It rests on the foodplant during the day. Pupation takes place in an earth covered cocoon under the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Colt's-foot, Hawkweed Oxtongue, Amphibious Bistort, Lady's Bedstraw, clovers, pennycress, Honeysuckle, Raspberry, Hawthorn and Aspen.