BRIGHT STRAW

ADULT: Wingspan 15 to 25mm.  A neat little banana and toffee coloured moth with the form ferrugana having an orange-brown ground colour instead of the normal yellowing. Both forms have a characteristic brown ring (with yellow centre) at the wing-tip. The hindwings are dark grey. LARVAE: The root feeding larvae choose Common Knapweed as their host plant although they are occasionally willing to use Field and Small Scabious. BEHAVIOUR: Flies from dusk and is easily disturbed through the day. Attracted to light. HABITAT: Found in rough grassland, quarries, roadside verges, coastal scrub. Usually located in limestone and chalk areas.  FLIGHT PERIOD: On the wing during May to September.STATUS: Well distributed throughout but very local in Scotland.