Noctuidae

73.308 Portland Moth Actebia praecox (Linnaeus, 1758)

Notable B / possible Immigrant

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

Forewing: 17 to 21mm

Habitats: Vegetated coastal sand-dunes, sandy heathland, sandy river margins.

Habits: The moth visits the flowers of Marram, ragworts and Heather. It is attracted to light.

Foodplant: The nocturnal larva feeds on the leaves of Creeping Willow, chickweeds, Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, other trefoils, Tree Lupin, Wormwood, mouse-ears, plantains, marine grasses and other herbaceous sand-dune plants. In captivity it accepts most willows and sallows. The spring larva hides in the sand during the day and when full-fed in late June, this is where it pupates.