Scientific name: Heliothis peltigera

Can be found year-round, most frequent in summer. Most often seen in southern England.

A pale-straw to brown coloured medium-sized moth, with a darker brown blotch on the front edge of the forewing. Similar to the Scarce Bordered Straw, although that species lacks the prominent, almost triangular shaped, mark on the leading edge of the forewing.  The Eastern Bordered Straw has three black dots on the outer edge of the forewing and an inward notch along the darker outermost cross-line.

Can be seen flying in the sunshine, visiting flowers or laying eggs. Also flies from dusk and into the night.

Size and Family

• Family – Clovers, Straws and allies (Heliothines)
• Medium Sized 

Conservation status

• UK BAP: Not listed   
• Immigrant

Particular Caterpillar Food Plants

Common Restharrow, Ploughman’s Spikenard, Scentless Mayweed, Sticky Groundsel and marigolds

Distribution

• Countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
• Found most frequently in southern England and Wales, but can occur as far north as Shetland and in Ireland.

Habitat

Most frequent in coastal habitats, but can also be found inland.