Olive Arches Moth
Common NameOlive Arches Moth
Scientific NameResapamea latebrosa
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyXyleninae
Wingspan (mm)34
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsolive-green, dark-brown, pale-grey
HabitatDamp woodlands, fens, marshes, wet meadows
Geographic RangeWestern Europe, including Great Britain and Ireland, extending eastwards
Host PlantsMolinia caerulea, Phragmites australis
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on the roots and stems of host grasses, overwintering as larvae. Pupation occurs in the soil.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive olive-green and dark brown mottling, especially the broad dark central band and pale reniform stigma. Its preference for damp habitats is also a key indicator.
Description
A medium-sized moth with forewings displaying a complex, mottled pattern of olive-green, dark brown, and pale grey patches, including a distinctive pale reniform stigma and a dark central band.
