Natural England

Natural England

Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

© 2006-2010. Database provided and managed on behalf of Natural England by The Plant Press. Designed and implemented by Ideal Integration Ltd

 

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The mullein moth - Cucullia verbasci - Family: Noctuidae

Mullien moth caterpillarThe mullein moth - Cucullia verbasci
The mullein moth - Cucullia verbasciThe mullein moth - Cucullia verbasci
© Jill Pakenham (Avico Ltd)
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

The mullein moth can be found in gardens and open ground. This moth has one brood a year, and the seldom-seen adults fly in April to May. Their wings are dark brown and pointed, with scalloped edges. The much more prominent, brightly coloured caterpillars with black and yellow spotted markings, can be found feeding on mulleins from May to July.

Food

Mulleins (Verbascum), figwort (Scrophularia nodosa) and butterfly bush (Buddleia globosa).

Plants

Butterfly bush, Common figwort, Dark mullein, Great mullein, Hoary mullein

Predators

Ophion luteus

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