Flame Shoulder

A recognisable species with bright straw-coloured stripes running along the leading edges of the forewings, with a second black band behind. The rest of the wings are a rather plain reddish-brown colour.

Flies wildly when it comes to light. The larvae can be seen from June to July and September to October in the south, or August to September in the north before they overwinter as pupae just below the ground.

Size and Family

• Family – Darts, yellow underwings and clays (Noctuidae)
• Medium-sized
• Wingspan Range – 24-30mm

Conservation Status

• UK BAP: Not listed
• Common

Caterpillar Food Plants

Bedstraws, docks, Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolate) and other low lying herbaceous plants.

Habitat

Found in a broad range of habitats including gardens, hedgerows, farmland, grasslands, woodland and wetlands.

Distribution

• Countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
• Widespread and abundant throughout Great Britain, the Isle of Man, Ireland and the Channel Islands but not recorded from Shetland.