Acontia lucida (Hufnagel, 1766) Common name: The Pale Shoulder moth.
Wingspan: 26 to 30mm
Family: Noctuidae.
Flight Season: The caterpillars are found almost all year in the Mediterranean locations, Further North, May to August is the norm the adults are on the wing.
A widespread species found in North Africa, over most of Mid, South, and East of Europe. Further East to Turkey, Iran and into India. A rare migrant to the south coast of England.
This day-flying moth is attracted to light.
Habitat: Grasslands, dry meadows, pasture, dunes, roadsides and wherever host plants are growing.
The larvae are polyphagous (Able to feed on various herbaceous plants) Some favourites being in the Malvaceae Family: Common Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Also, Goosefoots (Chenopodium) and dandelion (Taraxacum in the family Asteraceae).