Cloaked Minor - Mesoligia furuncula

Description

Wingspan 22-28 mm. A very variable species with a wide range of colour forms and patterns, the typical form as the forewing sharply demarcated between pale and rufous.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

It is commonest around sand-dunes, grassy seaside slopes and other coastal habitats, but can be found anywhere inland as well.

When to see it

The moths fly between August and September.

Life History

The larvae feed on grasses.

UK Status

Although mainly coastal it also occurs in inland areas, with a distribution throughout the British Isles. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)

Reference
73.172 BF2341

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Cloaked Minor
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
259
First record:
01/01/1998 (Adrian Russell)
Last record:
15/08/2025 (Wander, Adrian)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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