Square-spotted Clay
Common NameSquare-spotted Clay
Scientific NameXestia rhomboidea
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)38
Primary Colorsreddish-brown, dark brown
HabitatWoodlands, heathlands, gardens, open forests
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia
Host Plantsheather, bilberry, dock, plantain, various grasses
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are polyphagous, feeding on a variety of herbaceous plants and shrubs. They overwinter as larvae and pupate in the soil in spring.
Identification TipsKey features include the reddish-brown ground colour, the distinct dark, often square or rhomboidal reniform and orbicular stigmata, and the dark subterminal line on the forewings.
Description
A medium-sized moth with reddish-brown forewings featuring prominent, dark, somewhat square-shaped stigmata and darker transverse bands. The hindwings are a paler brown.
