Veiled Ear Moth
Common NameVeiled Ear Moth
Scientific NameAmphipoea lucens
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyHadeninae
Wingspan (mm)31.5
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsdark brown, reddish-brown
HabitatBogs, fens, wet heathland, damp moorland
Geographic RangeNorthern and western Europe, including Great Britain and Ireland
Host PlantsMolinia caerulea, Eriophorum spp.
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUnivoltine, with eggs laid in late summer hatching the following spring. Larvae feed internally within the roots and stems of host plants, pupating underground.
Identification TipsDistinguished from similar 'Ear' moths by its preference for wet, boggy habitats, its flight period, and subtle differences in the shape and coloration of the reniform and orbicular spots, though identification often requires examination of genitalia.
Description
A medium-sized moth with dark reddish-brown forewings, often appearing somewhat glossy. It features distinct, pale-ringed reniform and orbicular spots, with the reniform typically having a darker central area.
