Noctuidae

73.273 Shears Hada plebeja (Linnaeus, 1761)

Common

Similar species: The pale "shears" to the outer trailing side of the oval is enough to identify this species.

Forewing: 14 to 17mm

Habitats: Downland, calcareous and acid grassland, heathland, mountain moorland, sand-dunes and open woodland rides.

Habits: The moth nectars at flowers including Viper's Bugloss, campions and Wood Sage. It comes to sugar and light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds nocturnally on Smooth Hawk's-beard, Mouse-eared Hawkweed, Knotgrass, Lucerne, Dandelion, chickweeds and other herbaceous plants. It pupates in a cocoon in the leaf litter or amongst moss.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Nottingham Catchfly, Heath Spotted-orchid, Broad-leaved Dock and Quaking Grass.