Beautiful Golden Y
Common NameBeautiful Golden Y
Scientific NameAutographa pulchrina
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyPlusiinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, gold, white
HabitatWoodlands, gardens, hedgerows, fens, marshes
Geographic RangeEurope, temperate Asia
Host Plantsnettle, honeysuckle, bramble, dandelion, plantain
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are green with white lines, overwintering as small larvae before pupating in a silken cocoon on host plants in spring.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive golden 'Y' mark on the forewing, which can sometimes appear as a dot and a separate hook, and its rich reddish-brown coloration with golden highlights.
Description
A medium-sized moth with rich reddish-brown to purplish-brown forewings, often with a golden sheen, featuring a prominent, often broken, golden 'Y' mark.
