Heady Maiden
Common NameHeady Maiden
Scientific NameAmata phegea
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyArctiinae
Wingspan (mm)37.5
Primary Colorsblack, white, orange, iridescent blue-green
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, forest edges, clearings, and warm, dry open areas.
Geographic RangeEurope (from Spain to Russia) and parts of Asia Minor.
Host PlantsPlantago spp. (plantain), Taraxacum spp. (dandelion), various other low-growing herbaceous plants
Flight PeriodMay to August, peaking in June-July
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on host plants. The larvae are hairy and dark, feeding on low-growing herbaceous plants. They overwinter as larvae and pupate in a cocoon near the ground in spring, with adults emerging in early summer.
Identification TipsKey features include the black wings with distinct white hyaline (transparent) spots, the striking orange-banded abdomen, and the metallic blue-green iridescence on the head and thorax. Its aposematic coloration often leads to it being mistaken for a wasp.
Description
A medium-sized moth characterized by its black, semi-transparent wings adorned with numerous white spots, and a black body prominently banded with orange-red. The head and thorax often exhibit an iridescent blue-green sheen.
