Dot Moth (Melanchra persicariae, (Linnaeus, 1761))

Noctuidae: Hadeninae

2155 (ABH73.270) Dot Moth Melanchra persicariae, (Linnaeus, 1761)

Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

pre-2000

2000-2009

2010-2019

2020-onwards

Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

Earith

Photo © David Griffiths

Hemingford Grey

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

on raspberry, Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

on raspberry, Great Staughton

Photo © Peter Bissell

Earith

Photo © David Griffiths

Cambridge

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Hemingford Grey, 5th instar larva, ex Aspen suckers Aug 2015.

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Hemingford Grey, 4th instar larva, ex Aspen suckers Aug 2015.

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Hemingford Grey, ex larva Aspen suckers Aug 2015. Pupa - male.

General Information
Pupates in loose soil.
Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 16-21mm.
Foodplant(s): Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Common Hop (Humulus lupulus), Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius), groundsels (Senecio spp.), White Clover (Trifolium repens), Ivy (Hedera helix), Hazel (Corylus avellana), Elder (Sambucus nigra), willows (Salix spp.), broadleaved shrubs
Flying: One generation, late June-August
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Gardens, hedgerows and open woodland.

Regional Information

Recorded in 114 (42.2%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in July 2024

Recorded date range (Adult): 30 April to 15 September

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 04 May to 31 October

Larva/Leafmine:

Larva Type:

Smooth

Colours:

Green, brown, yellow, pink

No. of Proleg Pairs:

2155 (ABH73.270) Dot Moth Melanchra persicariae, (Linnaeus, 1761)

KR09984