Pale-shouldered Brocade
Common NamePale-shouldered Brocade
Scientific NameCaradrina clavipalpis
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)27.5
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, pale ochre
HabitatGardens, parks, woodlands, grasslands, urban areas
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, Asia, North America (introduced)
Host Plantsdandelion, plantain, dock, various grasses, stored grain products
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are polyphagous, feeding on low-growing plants and grasses. The species overwinters as a larva, pupating in the soil. It typically has two or three broods per year.
Identification TipsLook for its mottled grey-brown forewings and the characteristic pale, somewhat square-ish patch on the costa near the base, which gives it its common name. The overall cryptic pattern helps it blend with its surroundings.
Description
A small, cryptically colored moth with mottled grey-brown forewings, featuring indistinct darker markings and often a pale patch near the base of the costa.
