63.025 BF1376

Small Magpie Anania hortulata

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Wingspan 24-28 mm.

This is one of the most familiar of the Pyralidae, with its yellowish body parts and black-and-white patterned wings. It is very common in the southern half of Britain, becoming less so further north, and flies in June and July.

The larva feeds from a rolled or spun leaf in August and September before hibernating in a tough silk cocoon in a hollow stem or under bark.

Pupation occurs in May in the same cocoon, without further feeding. The main foodplant is nettle (Urtica dioica), but woundworts (Stachys spp.), mints (Mentha spp.), horehounds (Marrubium and Ballota), and bindweeds (Convolvulus and Calystegia) are also used.