Clouded Meadow Moth
Common NameClouded Meadow Moth
Scientific NameUdea numeralis
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilySpilomelinae
Wingspan (mm)23
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorspale brown, ochre, dark brown
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, heathland, gardens, woodland edges
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia
Host PlantsPlantago, Taraxacum, Rumex, Urtica, various grasses
Flight PeriodMay to July, August to September
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are green with a darker dorsal line, feeding on various herbaceous plants. They pupate in a silken cocoon among leaf litter or in the soil.
Identification TipsLook for the overall pale ochreous-brown coloration, the two prominent dark discal spots on the forewings, and the pointed labial palps characteristic of the genus Udea. The hindwings are typically paler than the forewings.
Description
A small, pale brown moth with a pointed head and two distinct dark brown spots on each forewing, often with a faint darker subterminal line and a fringe of small dark dots along the termen.
