Triple-spotted Clay
Common NameTriple-spotted Clay
Scientific NameXestia ditrapezium
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)43
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, reddish-brown, black
HabitatWoodlands, gardens, hedgerows, open country
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia
Host Plantsbirch, willow, dock, plantain, various herbaceous plants
Flight PeriodJune to August
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are polyphagous, feeding on a variety of herbaceous plants and deciduous trees. They overwinter as larvae and pupate in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include the reddish-brown ground colour, the distinct dark reniform stigma, and the dark, somewhat trapezoidal patch on the costa, which helps distinguish it from similar *Xestia* species.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled reddish-brown forewings featuring prominent dark markings, including a distinct dark reniform stigma and a dark trapezoidal patch on the costa.
