The moth varies considerably, from pale cream to dark brown with diverse markings, often with a central cross bar.  It can be confused with the Rosy Minor, Middle-barred Minor and Least Minor, but the Cloaked Minor is generally more slender with narrower forewing. Males fly close to the ground late in the day. More frequently seen after dark.

    The adult males can be seen flying low over the ground around sunset. They are attracted to light. The caterpillars can be found from August to early the following June feeding inside the stems of the foodplant.

    Size and Family

    • Family – Arches, Brindles, Minors, Rustics and allies (Amphipyrinae)
    • Medium Sized 
    • Wingspan Range 20-24mm

    Conservation Status

    • UK BAP: Not listed
    • Common

    Caterpillar Food Plants

    Grasses such as Sheep’s-fescue (Festuca ovina), Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatus).

    Habitat

    The moth is usually found in open, well-drained grassland, especially coastal sand-dunes, cliffs and chalk downland.

    Distribution

    • Countries – England, Scotland, Ireland
    • Common throughout southern Britain, but more restricted to coastal areas in northern England, mainland Scotland, the Inner Hebrides, Man and Ireland.
     
    Cloaked Minor by Helen Bantock

    Cloaked Minor

    Cloaked Minor - Garry Barlow

    Cloaked Minor

    Cloaked Minor - Peter Maton

    Cloaked Minor

    Cloaked Minor - Vlad Proklov

    Cloaked Minor

    Cloaked Minor - Vlad Proklov

    Cloaked Minor

    Cloaked Minor - Ben Sale

    Cloaked Minor

    Cloaked Minor - Donald Hobern

    Cloaked Minor

    Cloaked Minor - Ben Sale

    Cloaked Minor

    Cloaked Minor - Dave Shenton

    Cloaked Minor


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