The Nutmeg - Anarta trifolii

Alternative names
Nutmeg Moth, Discestra trifolii
Description

Wingspan 30-35 mm. This moth has a finely variegated patterning of sandy and darker browns and greys. It also has quite a large kidney mark and the half near the trailing edge is always darker than the ground colour.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

It inhabits waste ground, agricultural land and a range of other habitats.

When to see it

It has two broods in the South, one in the North, with moths appearing between May and September.

Life History

The pricipal larval foodplants are Orache and Goosefoot.

UK Status

Occurring most commonly in the South-East of England, its range stretches Northwards, locally through Northern England and Wales, to Scotland, where it is quite scarce. Occasional migrants appear, which are thought to be the source of some far Northern records. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)

Reference
73.255 BF2145

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Nutmeg
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
146
First record:
30/05/2004 (Skevington, Mark)
Last record:
24/08/2023 (Graves, Hazel)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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