The Nutmeg - Anarta trifolii

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.

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

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

The pricipal larval foodplants are Orache and Goosefoot.

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.

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