Noctuidae

73.272 Glaucous Shears Papestra biren (Goeze, 1781)

Local

Similar species: The grey forewing with large white-edged kidney mark and pale "tooth" mark to the trailing side of the pale-edged oval is enough to identify this species.

Forewing: 15 to 18mm

Habitats: Open and lightly wooded moorland.

Habits: The moth can be found resting on fence posts, rocks and tree trunks during the day and occasionally flies in sunshine. It visits flowers and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva is mainly nocturnal, feeding on Bog Myrtle, Creeping Willow, sallows, Heather, Bilberry, Meadowsweet and other plants. It pupates in a cocoon in the soil.

On the European mainland it has been recorded feeding on Goat Willow and Bog Bilberry.