Variable species with some very dark specimens.

Variety of habitats including woodland, heath and gardens, predominantly in coastal areas.

A nocturnal species, occurring mainly in August and into September.

The larvae feed on a variety of foodstuffs, including decaying vegetable matter.

An adventitious species, this moth was introduced into Britain and is now well established throughout. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

Occasional but probably increasing in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = C (very scarce resident or rare migrant)