Sweet Gale Moth
Common NameSweet Gale Moth
Scientific NameAcronicta alni
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyAcronictinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, black, white
HabitatWoodlands, fens, bogs, heathland, and areas with deciduous trees and shrubs.
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, and temperate Asia.
Host Plantsalder, birch, willow, oak, sweet gale, hazel, lime
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae are distinctive, often called 'alder moth' caterpillars, characterized by their black body with yellow spots and tufts of black hairs, and a prominent white saddle mark. They pupate in a cocoon on the ground or under bark.
Identification TipsLook for the mottled grey forewings with indistinct dark markings and a generally robust, hairy appearance. The distinctive black and yellow 'alder moth' caterpillar with a white saddle is a key identifier for the species.
Description
This is a medium-sized moth with a robust, hairy grey body and forewings that are cryptically patterned with shades of grey, black, and white, resembling lichen or bark.
