Northern Drab Orthosia opima - Distribution map

Please note that the NBN Gateway map service has been terminated as of 1 April 2017.

As soon as a replacement map service is available, distribution maps will hopefully appear here again.

In the meantime, you can get some idea of distribution from the NBN Atlas website.

View the NBN Atlas Map

73.248 BF2184

Northern Drab Orthosia opima

(Hübner, [1809])


Wingspan 34-40 mm.

Although the English name suggests otherwise, this species is actually more common in the south.

It does however occur sporadically throughout northern England and the southern half of Scotland. The single brood flies in April and May, and the species inhabits heathland, downland and sand-hills.

Feeding on a variety of trees and herbaceous plants, including sallow (Salix), birch (Betula) and ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), the larvae occur in May and June.

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