Setaceous Hebrew Character - Xestia c-nigrum

Description

Wingspan 35-42 mm. A distinctive species which should not be difficult to identify.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Gardens, woodland, heathland and marshes.

When to see it

In the southern half of its range, there are two broods, flying in small numbers in May and June, but far more commonly in August and September. In the north there is just one generation, flying in July and August. The population is sometimes reinforced by immigration in the autumn.

Life History

The larvae feed on a variety of herbaceous plants, but especially Nettle.

UK Status

Widely distributed throughout Britain, sometimes commonly. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

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

Reference
73.359 BF2126

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
Setaceous Hebrew Character
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
1468
First record:
24/08/1950 (Wesley, Isaac)
Last record:
10/10/2023 (Pugh, Dylan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records