Small Magpie - Anania hortulata

Alternative names
Eurrhypara hortulata
Description

Wingspan 24-28 mm. This is one of the most familiar of the Pyralidae, with its yellowish body parts and black-and-white patterned wings.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Any habitat where Nettles are found.

When to see it

Flies in June and July.

Life History

The main food plant is Nettle, but Woundworts, Mints, Horehounds and Bindweeds are also used. The larva feeds from a rolled or spun leaf in August and September before hibernating in a tough silk cocoon in a hollow stem or under bark. Pupation occurs in May in the same cocoon, without further feeding.

UK Status

It is very common in the Southern half of Britain, becoming less so further North. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

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

Reference
63.025 BF1376

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
Small Magpie
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Crambidae
Records on NatureSpot:
716
First record:
30/06/1949 (Wesley, Isaac)
Last record:
31/07/2023 (Hagley, Neil)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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