73.050 BF2211 – The Wormwood – Noctuidae – Cucullia absinthii
The Wormwood – Noctuidae – Cucullinae – Cucullia absinthii – colour code •
STATUS – A resident that was once fairly common in the 1960’s and it is now uncommon and very locally distributed in Derbyshire. Very few records in recent years. This specimen was trapped in my garden in 2002 and apart from it being the only one I have seen, it also seems to be the only modern day record from South Derbyshire. Latest report of one trapped in a Breaston garden, July 2022. This species is noted for its habit of avoiding Moth Traps.
ID POINTERS – A distinctive feature is the collar that is raised to a “Punk-Like” projection over the head. The fawn-grey ground colour has obvious dark blackish-grey forewing markings. There are black spots in the kidney-mark.
FLIGHT PERIOD – On the wing July – August
IMAGES – Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison© – Breaston, Derbyshire July 2022 – Steve Thorpe©
