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Beautiful Yellow Underwing -
Beautiful Yellow Underwing
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Beautiful Yellow Underwing -
Beautiful Yellow Underwing
Scientific nameAnarta myrtilli
April - August. Britain and Ireland. A small, fast-flying moth with yellow hindwings, broadly bordered with black. Often found near heather and bell heather.
One of several moths with yellow hindwings. The red-brown or brown colour of the forewing, together with the marbled grey-white markings and a small white blotch near the centre of the forewing help to distinguish this species.
The Small Dark Yellow Underwing, which is a Scottish species, is dark grey with a conspicuous white kidney-shaped mark on the forewing. True Lover’s Knot is superficially similar, but does has a grey-brown hindwing and is usually slightly larger.
Flies in sunshine rapidly and low over heathers, feeding at moorland flowers. In dull weather the moth can be found at rest on heathers. Also flies occasionally after dark.
Size and Family
- Family – Brocades, Quakers and allies (Hadenines)
- Small Sized
Conservation status
- UK BAPNot listed
- Common
Particular Caterpillar Food Plants
Heather and Bell Heather.
Distribution
- Countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
- Found in suitable habitat throughout most of Britain and Ireland, except Shetland.
Habitat
Frequents heathland and moorland.