Diamond-back Moth

Diamond-back Moth - Plutella xylostella

Alternative names
Diamond-back
Description

Wingspan 13-15 mm. A distinctive moth with a "diamond" like pattern along the length of its back.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

In all types of habitat throughout the British Isles, becoming established under favourable conditions when occasionally reaching plague proportions on farms where cabbages are grown.

When to see it

Two or more generations occur between May and September.

Life History

Larvae feed on the leaves of certain types of vegetables as well as weeds.

UK Status

Common immigrant from mainland Europe sometimes appearing in vast numbers. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as a migrant.

VC55 Status

It is a common moth in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common immigrant)

Reference
18.001 BF464

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records