Noctuidae

73.279 Broad-barred White Hecatera bicolorata (Hufnagel, 1766)

Common

Similar species: This moth is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species.

Forewing: 13 to 15mm

Habitats: Vegetated coastal shingle and sand-dunes, brecks, scrub, calcareous wasteground and other disturbed soils.

Habits: The moth nectars at the flowers of Viper's Bugoss, campions and Red Valerian and can often be found resting on the flowers during the day. It comes to light

Foodplant: The larva feeds throughout the day and night on the flowers and buds of hawkweeds, hawk's-beards, sow-thistles and other Compositae. It pupates just below the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Wall Lettuce, Purple Lettuce and Lactuca spp.