Wingspan 35-40 mm. An attractive moth with a pattern of pale yellows and browns

Its favoured haunts are woodland, waste ground and marshes

On the wing from August to October.

The larvae feed internally in the wide stems of such plants as Thistle and Burdock species also pupating within the stem.

Fairly common throughout England and Wales; less so in Ireland and Scotland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)