Toadflax Brocade - Calophasia lunula

Wingspan 26 to 32 mm. 

Areas where Toadflax is found.

It has two generations, sometimes overlapping, from May to August, and migrants sometimes appear away from the main stronghold in July and August.

The larvae, which feed on Toadflax (Linaria spp.), are very colourful, but well camouflaged amongst the foodplant.

As a resident species, this moth is restricted to the south-east and central southern coasts of England, where it frequents mainly shingle beaches. It is a relatively recent colonist, arriving around 1950 and quickly gaining a foothold, but appears to be now in decline again. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as Red Data Book 3.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland.  The Leicester record of 10th June 2018 is only the second for VC55.