GOLDEN PLUSIA

ADULT: Wingspan 32 - 37mm.   A rather delightful moth of low tones that come together to make a real aesthetically pleasing sight.  The forewings are of a light golden brown in colour and are finely marked with dark longitudinal and cross-lines and patches of black speckling.  The kidney mark is large and white and outlined in brown and the thorax sports a rather large tuft which gives a certain heftiness to the specimen.  LARVA: Dull green in colour with black spotting. The larva feed on species of Delphinium. BEHAVIOUR: Attracted to light in small numbers. HABITAT: Gardens and parkland. FLIGHT PERIOD: June to August. STATUS: Resident with a slow reduction in range.