True Lover's Knot
Common NameTrue Lover's Knot
Scientific NameLycophotia porphyrea
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)32
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, reddish-brown, white, black
HabitatHeathland, moorland, open woodlands, gardens
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia
Host Plantsheather, bell heather, cross-leaved heath
Flight PeriodJune to September
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUnivoltine, eggs laid in late summer, larvae hatch in autumn, overwinter, and feed until spring, pupating in the soil.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive reddish-brown ground colour combined with intricate white-outlined kidney-shaped (reniform) and circular (orbicular) stigmata on the forewings.
Description
A medium-sized moth with forewings featuring a complex, mottled pattern of reddish-brown, dark brown, and white markings, including prominent white-outlined stigmata, providing excellent camouflage.
