Broad-barred White

The Broad-barred White (Hecatera bicolorata) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe and is also found in Turkey, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Kirghizia, Tajikistan, western Siberia and China.

This is a fairly small (wingspan 28-35 mm) but distinctive species, the white forewings marked with a broad dark brown band. The hindwings are grey with blackish fringes. This species flies at night from June to August and is attracted to light and various flowers.

The larva is brown or green with darker diamonds along the back. It feeds on the flowers and buds of various yellow-flowered Asteraceae such as hawksbeards, hawkweeds and sow thistles. The species overwinters as a pupa.

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