Noctuidae

73.295 Delicate Mythimna vitellina (Hübner, [1808])

Immigrant / Locally colonised coastal S & SE England / Resident in Channel Islands

Similar species: The three jagged cross-lines are enough to identify this species.

Forewing: 12 to 14mm

Habitats: Mainly coastal grassland.

Habits: The moth visits Ivy flowers from dusk onwards and is attracted to sugar and light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Cock's-foot, Annual Meadow-grass and probably other meadow-grasses and soft-bladed grasses. It is thought that some of the autumnal moths are from the progeny of immigrant moths from earlier in the year and that some of the larvae from them may be overwintering in the south-west of England.