The Bordered Straw
Common NameThe Bordered Straw
Scientific NameHeliothis peltigera
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyHeliothinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorspale yellow, light brown, dark brown
HabitatOpen dry habitats, coastal areas, cultivated land, gardens
Geographic RangeSouthern Europe, North Africa, Middle East, parts of Asia; migratory to Central and Northern Europe
Host PlantsCalendula, Ononis, Reseda, Silene, Medicago, Trifolium
Flight PeriodMay to October (multiple generations)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on various herbaceous plants, and pupation occurs in the soil. It is a multivoltine species, producing multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsKey features for identification include the straw-yellow forewings with a distinct dark kidney-shaped (reniform) spot and a dark, often wavy, subterminal line forming a border. The whitish hindwings with a broad dark marginal band are also characteristic.
Description
A medium-sized moth with pale straw-yellow to light brown forewings, featuring a prominent dark kidney-shaped spot and a distinct dark border along the outer margin. The hindwings are whitish with a broad dark marginal band.
