Small Magpie
by Christopher Teague Photography
Anania hortulata
Very common in the southern half of Britain, becoming less so further north, mainly nocturnal.
The Larva is whitish; dorsal line dull green, white-edged; head and plate of 2 black.
The Larvae feeds on nettle, but woundworts, mints, horehounds, and bindweeds are also used.
Larvae can be found in August and September feeding in a rolled or spun leaf.
The head and thorax are deep ochreous-yellow, black-spotted. Forewings are yellowish-white, markings blackish; base blackish, with two ochreous-yellow marks; a suffused costal streak; lines thick, first irregular, second tending to form spots, curved, narrowest below middle; small orbicular and large round discal spots, touching costal streak.
The Moth flies from June to July.