Noctuidae

73.280 Small Ranunculus Hecatera dysodea ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

RDB / suspected Immigrant

Similar species: No other moth of this size is likely to be mistaken for this species.

Forewing: 14 to 15mm

Habitats: Open rough grassland, quarries, wasteground, allotments, gardens and road verges.

Habits: The moth nectars at flowers and comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds mainly on the flowers and seeds of Prickly Lettuce, Great Lettuce, Wall Lettuce and cultivated Lettuce. It was a pest of garden Lettuce in the 19th Century. It pupates under the soil.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Blue Lettuce, Purple Lettuce, Perennial sow-thistle, other sow-thistles, Hawkweed Oxtongue, hawkweeds and Wormwood.