Gold Spot
Common NameGold Spot
Scientific NamePlusia festucae
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyPlusiinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, gold, white
HabitatWetlands, marshes, damp meadows, gardens
Geographic RangePalearctic region, including Europe, Asia, and North Africa
Host Plantsvarious grasses, sedges, rushes, iris, reeds
Flight PeriodMay to October (often bivoltine or trivoltine)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae are green with pale stripes and feed on various monocotyledonous plants. They pupate in a white silken cocoon, often spun amongst the host plant foliage.
Identification TipsLook for the prominent, irregular metallic gold or silvery-white spots on the golden-brown forewings, which are the key distinguishing feature of this species.
Description
This moth has rich golden-brown forewings marked with distinctive, irregular metallic gold or silvery-white spots, often two larger ones and a smaller one towards the apex. The hindwings are plain brownish-grey.
