Hepialid Moth

Description:

A beautiful brown Hepialid moth, about 20mm long, with tented wings and brown mottling. The fore wings have a white wave-like pattern which indicate that this is a male moth. Dense setae cover the legs.

Habitat:

Larvae feed on Poaceae (grasses). The eggs when laid are white, then turn to black. This moth was spotted under bright lights in a local car park.

Notes:

This is the second Elhamma moth,we've spotted this year. They peak in March and gradually disappear in April. These moths are said to lose thire scales quite easily. This male looked fresh and 'well clad" - must have just come out of a pupa ! A female found elsewhere on the same night... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/174...