rainbow battleship
Common Namerainbow battleship
Scientific NameDiacrisia sannio
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyArctiinae
Wingspan (mm)42.5
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsorange, buff
HabitatMeadows, heathland, fens, woodland clearings, open grassy areas
Geographic RangeEurope, temperate Asia, North Africa
Host Plantsdandelion, plantain, dock, heather, bramble, various grasses
Flight PeriodMay to July, August to September (partial second brood)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on host plants. Larvae are hairy, dark brown with reddish tufts, and feed on various herbaceous plants, overwintering as larvae before pupating in a cocoon near the ground.
Identification TipsFemales are typically uniformly buff to orange-yellow, often lacking the prominent black discal spot and red hindwings seen in males. The very fuzzy orange thorax and simple antennae are key features.
Description
A medium-sized moth with a stout, very furry orange-brown thorax and head, and uniformly pale orange-buff forewings that have a fine speckled texture.
