honeysuckle budworm
Common Namehoneysuckle budworm
Scientific NameXylena exsoleta
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)65
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, black
HabitatWoodlands, forests, heathland, gardens
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, temperate Asia
Host Plantshoneysuckle, willow, birch, hawthorn, sallow, heather
Flight PeriodSeptember to November, and March to May
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on various woody plants, pupating in the soil. Adults emerge in autumn, overwinter, and lay eggs in spring.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive dark 'sword-like' streaks on the forewings, mottled grey-brown coloration, and its relatively large size for a noctuid moth.
Description
A medium-large moth with mottled grey and brown forewings, featuring prominent dark, sword-like streaks and lines, and paler hindwings.
