Noctuidae: Plusiinae

2439 (ABH73.022) Gold Spot Plusia festucae, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR09053

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
near Llanbedr, Harlech, N Wales, 1st Sept 2013.
near Llanbedr, Harlech, N Wales, 1st Sept 2013.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 8th Sept. 2021. Light
Hemingford Grey, 8th Sept. 2021. Light
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
7 days old, ex. Pidley Wood
7 days old, ex. Pidley Wood
 Photo © Peter Bissell


General Information

Pupates between stems of the food plant.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes come to light.

Forewing length: 14-19mm.
Foodplant(s): Tufted-sedge (Carex elata), Glaucous Sedge (Carex flacca), Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), Branched Bur-reed (Sparganium emersum), water-plantains (Alisma spp.), sedges (Carex spp.), grasses
Flying: Two generations, June-July and late August-September
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Fens, damp meadows, heathland, damp woodland and saltmarsh.

Regional Information

Recorded in 40 (14.8%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in August 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 12 May to 28 September

Similar Species
Newton Pool, Northumberland
Newton Pool, Northumberland
 Photo © Ian Fisher
Lempke's Gold Spot Plusia putnami


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
Green, yellow, white
No. of Proleg Pairs:
3