An attractive moth with a broad, slightly hooked forewing. Grey-brown in colour with a striking golden-yellow central cross-band, oval and kidney-shaped forewing markings.

Overwinters as an egg. The larvae are present from April to August, feeding inside the lower stem of the foodplant where they also pupate.

Size and Family

  • Family – Arches, brindles, minors, rustics and allies (Noctuidae)
  • Medium Sized
  • Wingspan range – 32-38mm

Conservation Status

  • UK BAP: Not listed
  • Common

Caterpillar Food Plants

Robust herbaceous plants; particularly thistles, burdocks and Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea). Sometimes also ragworts, Hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum) and figworts.

Habitat

Rough grassland, woodland rides and edges, disturbed weedy places, ditch-banks, fens, marshes and sometimes gardens.

Distribution

  • Countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
  • Common and well distributed throughout England, Wales and southern, central and north-east mainland Scotland. Local on the Isle of Man, in Ireland and the Channel Islands. 
Frosted Orange - Iain Leach

Frosted Orange

Frosted Orange by Iain Leach

Frosted Orange

Frosted Orange - Patrick Clement

Frosted Orange

Frosted Orange - Patrick Clement

Frosted Orange

Frosted Orange - nutmeg66 (flickr)

Frosted Orange

Frosted Orange by Stuart Read

Frosted Orange

Frosted Orange - Koen Thonissen

Frosted Orange

Frosted Orange - Dave Shenton

Frosted Orange

Frosted Orange (larval frass) - Patrick Clement

Frosted Orange (larval frass)

Frosted Orange (caterpillar) - Patrick Clement

Frosted Orange (caterpillar)