Noctuidae: Plusiinae

2450 (ABH73.001) Spectacle Abrostola tripartita, (Hufnagel, 1766)

KR09091

 Photo © Peter Bissell
Spectacle
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
on Common Nettle, Great Staughton, August 2009
on Common Nettle, Great Staughton, August 2009
 Photo © Peter Bissell
on Common Nettle, Great Staughton, August 2009
on Common Nettle, Great Staughton, August 2009
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Early instar on Common Nettle, Great Staughton, August 2009
Early instar on Common Nettle, Great Staughton, August 2009
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hemingford Grey, 31st July 2005
Hemingford Grey, 31st July 2005
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This species has silvery-brown wings and a pair of white rings just above the eyes which look as though the moth is wearing glasses, hence the vernacular name.

 

Pupates in leaf litter or in a bark crevice.

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

Forewing length: 15-17mm.
Foodplant(s): Common Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Flying: One/two generations, April-mid July and late July-early September
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Gardens, hedgerows, open woodland, fens and disturbed ground.

Regional Information

Recorded in 139 (51.5%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in May 2024

Recorded date range (Adult): 01 April to 20 October

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 28 June to 02 September

Similar Species
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Dark Spectacle Abrostola triplasia


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
Green, white, brown, purple
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5