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Small Magpie

Eurrhypara hortulata

Description:

Small Magpie moth are brightly colored moth's in the family Pyralidae. Noted are their yellowish hairy thorax. Orange-yellow patches at the tip of the tail and where the wings meet the body and black-and-white patterned wings, giving them a striking appearance. Mature Small Magpie have a wing span of between 24 and 28 mm.

Habitat:

Small Magpie Moth's are found in scattered localities across the Palaearctic region. In hedgerows, roadside verges and gardens. In damp biotopes, forests and overgrown places (flying from June to August.) Adults are often found on Nettles. Small Magpie Moth's main foodplant is nettle (Urtica dioica), but woundworts (Stachys spp.), mints (Mentha spp.), horehounds (Marrubium and Ballota), and bindweeds (Convolvulus and Calystegia) are also a source of food.

Notes:

This Small Magpie Moth stopped on our window pane. Nettles grow within feet of our window. Bright and striking colors made this little moth easy to spot and a joy to observe and photograph. Viewed with the macro eye of the camera it was a thrill to see the color and pattern details of this Small Magpie. Amazing!

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3 Comments

TishannePatterson
TishannePatterson 11 years ago

Thank you!

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

beautiful color and pattern!

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 11 years ago

Lovely Moth!

Hoquiam, Washington, USA

Spotted on Jul 16, 2012
Submitted on Jul 18, 2012

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