73.059 BF2223

Toadflax Brocade Calophasia lunula

(Hufnagel, 1766)

Wingspan 26-32 mm.

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.

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.