Photo ©2023–
Click any photo for a larger image
Photo ©2023– Simon J Tonge
Photo ©2023–
Click any photo for a larger image
Photo ©2023– Simon J Tonge
Double Square Spot moth - Xestia triangulum
Family - Noctuidae
The Double Square Spot is a nocturnal moth of the family Noctuidae distributed through most of Europe from the British Isles to the Caucasus Mountains except Portugal and the Mediterranean islands.
This species has light brown or grayish-brown forewings marked with two distinctive black marks. Despite the common name, only one of these is square, the other being roughly triangular. These spots are connected by a thin line, which forms the triangle-like shape, hence the species name "triangulum". The hindwings are similar in colour to the forewings and have a slightly scalloped edge. Wingspan is between 36–46mm (1.4–1.8in) and it typically flies at night during June and July in the UK. It is attracted to light and to flowers such as Wood Sage.
The larva is an Ochreous brown, black speckled can grow up to 45mm (1.8in) in length and have a characteristic white stripe running along their sides. It is polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of herbaceous plants including Birch, Blackthorn, Bramble, Docks, Hawthorns, Raspberry and Sallow. The species overwinters as a larva. It is a fairly common moth species that can be easily identified by its distinctive square spots on the forewings, it is most commonly found in grassy habitats such as meadows, pastures, and hedgerows preferring forest edges, slopes covered with shrubs, heaths and gardens and parkland.
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