The Mullein - Cucullia verbasci

Alternative names
Mullein Moth
Description

Wingspan 45-50 mm. Forewing buff with dark brown stripes along leading and trailing edges, the latter cut by a thin pale line. At rest this moth looks like a dead plant stalk.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

The species occupies a range of open habitats as well as gardens.

When to see it

The normal flight period is April to May. The brightly coloured caterpillar is probably seen more often than the adult moth, which can sometimes be attracted to light.

Life History

The larval foodplants in the wild are various species of Mullein but it also feeds in gardens on Buddleia.

UK Status

Distributed widely in England, most commonly in the south, and scarcer in Wales. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire & Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant)

Reference
73.058 BF2221

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
Mullein
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
139
First record:
30/04/2005 (Skevington, Mark)
Last record:
24/06/2023 (Pochin, Christine)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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