Ghost Moth (Hepialus humuli, (Linnaeus, 1758))

General Information
This is the largest swift found in the UK.

Males have plain white forewings and hindwings. Females have a yellow/orange forewing.

Flies at dusk and after dark. Groups of males can be seen flying over one spot releasing a goat-like scent.

Overwinters as a larva, maybe twice. Pupates underground among roots.
Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: M 21-29mm. F 21-35mm.
Foodplant(s): grasses (roots), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), herbaceous plants, docks (Rumex spp.), burdocks (Arctium spp.), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Flying: One generation, June-early August
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Grassy or weedy places, on open ground and in woodland rides and clearings.

Regional Information

There are no records in the system yet in MyPlace.

3.005 (BF0014) Ghost Moth Hepialus humuli, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR00080