73.333 BF2120

Ingrailed Clay Diarsia mendica

(Fabricius, 1775)

Wingspan 28-35 mm.

A highly variable species, ranging from rather pale individuals in the south, to much darker ones in Scotland, with some island variants in Orkney and Shetland being afforded subspecies status.

It is common throughout Britain, and frequents woodland and moorland, flying in a single generation from June and July.

The caterpillars hibernate and feed in the spring on a variety of shrubs and plants, including bramble (Rubus) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).