Noctuidae

73.277 Bordered Gothic Heliophobus reticulata marginosa (Haworth, 1809)

pRDB England / Immigrant

Heliophobus reticulata hibernica (Cockayne, 1944))

Southern Ireland

Similar species: The Irish subspecies is usually much darker than the English subspecies.

Feathered Gothic Tholera decimalis flies later; from August peaking in late August and early September. It has a broader straighter leading edge to the forewing with dark cross-lines. It is darker outside the outer cross-line. The males have feathered antennae. Gothic Naenia typica is on average larger (17 to 22mm) with a broader forewing and the inner central cross-line is straight rather than curved inwards.

Forewing: 17 to 19mm

Habitats: Calcareous cliffs, chalk downland, calcareous breckland, calcareous wasteland, cuttings, quarries and embankments.

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

Foodplant: The early stages have not been fully recorded in Britain. In captivity it has been reared on Soapwort, Bladder Campion and Knotgrass with limited success. It pupates in loose soil.

On the European mainland Berry Catchfly, Soapwort, Bladder Campion, Knotgrass, Viola spp. and Dianthus spp. have all been recorded as foodplants.