Species: The Uncertain (Hoplodrina octogenaria)
Family: Owlet Moths (NOCTUIDAE)
Category: Butterflies & Moths
Location: Widespread
A. Butterflies & Moths
B. Owlet Moths (NOCTUIDAE)
The Noctuidae - or Owlet Moths - are sometimes considered the largest family of butterflies and moths, with nearly 12,000 different species.
C. The Uncertain (Hoplodrina octogenaria)
The Uncertain (yes, that really is this moth's proper, common name) could be mistaken for Vine's Rustic. However, the latter are always a dove-grey colour, whereas The Uncertain is a dark brown colour. Perhaps more helpfully, when this specimen was caught in the moth trap in the cemetery (in early July 2022) Vine's Rustic was between broods and would not have been flying.
It has a wingspan of between 28 and 34 millimetres.
This is a fairly common moth in England and Wales. It prefers docks and plantains for its food plants.
Images
The Uncertain
Vine's Rustic, which this moth superficially resembles, are always a dove-grey colour, whereas The Uncertain is a dark brown colour. Perhaps more helpfully, when this specimen was caught in the moth trap in the cemetery (in early July 2022) Vine's Rustic was between broods and would not have been flying.
