The colouration of this moth may vary slightly in the number and extent of the brown blotches on the wings but it remains easily recognisable from other species. Flies frequently during the day, especially in the sunshine.

Size and Family

  • Family – Thorns, Beauties and allies (Ennomines)
  • Small Sized 

Conservation status

  • UK BAP: Not listed
  • Common

Caterpillar Food Plants

Wood Sage, but also recorded on White Dead-nettle, Woundwort and Yellow Archangel.

Habitat

Frequents open woodland, but also occurs in scrubby areas.

Distribution

  • Countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland
  • Well distributed throughout England. Locally common in parts of north-west Wales, but more restricted in distribution in the south and east of Wales, central southern England, East Anglia, West Midlands, Cumbria, and central and western Scotland.  Much less frequent throughout eastern England north to the Moray Firth, in Ireland, where most records are from the Burren, and on Jersey in the Channel Islands.
 
Speckled Yellow - Tamás Nestor

Speckled Yellow

Speckled Yellow - Tamás Nestor

Speckled Yellow

Speckled Yellow - Iain Leach

Speckled Yellow

Speckled Yellow - Garry Barlow

Speckled Yellow

Speckled Yellow - Iain Leach

Speckled Yellow

Speckled Yellow - Iain Leach

Speckled Yellow

Speckled Yellow - Iain Leach

Speckled Yellow

Speckled Yellow - Iain Leach

Speckled Yellow