Alder Moth
Common NameAlder Moth
Scientific NameAcronicta alni
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyAcronictinae
Wingspan (mm)38
Primary Colorsblack, white, brown, grey
HabitatWoodlands, forests, gardens, parks, hedgerows
Geographic RangeEurope, temperate Asia
Host Plantsalder, birch, oak, willow, hazel, lime
Flight PeriodMay to July
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are striking, black with yellow bands and tufts of black hair, resembling a bird dropping. They feed on various deciduous trees and pupate in a cocoon.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive high-contrast black, white, and brown mottled forewings, the dark hairy thorax, and the robust build. The unique larval form is also a key identifier.
Description
A medium-sized moth with a robust, hairy, dark thorax and forewings intricately mottled with contrasting black, white, and brownish-grey patches, often featuring a distinct black dagger-like mark near the tornus.
