Tutt’s Burnished Brass
Common NameTutt’s Burnished Brass
Scientific NameDiachrysia chrysitis
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyPlusiinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patterniridescent
Primary Colorsmetallic gold, brown, olive-green
HabitatGardens, meadows, woodland edges, waste ground
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia, North Africa
Host Plantsnettle, thistles, dandelion, mint
Flight PeriodMay to October (two generations)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are green with white lines, feeding on various herbaceous plants. They overwinter as larvae and pupate in a cocoon on the host plant.
Identification TipsDistinguished by the prominent, often continuous, metallic golden sheen on the forewings. The 'Tutt's' form specifically refers to individuals where the metallic golden areas are largely continuous, lacking or having a greatly reduced central brown band.
Description
A medium-sized moth characterized by its striking metallic golden or brassy forewings, which can appear as a continuous band or be divided by a central brown stripe. The hindwings are a duller brown.
