The Campion - Sideridis rivularis

Alternative names
Campion Moth, Hadena rivularis
Description

Wing length 14-16 mm. Well marked and with a purplish hue in fresh specimens.

Similar Species

The Campion closely resembles The Lychnis (H. bicruris), but tends to have the two forewing stigmata joined at the base. Fresh specimens usually also have a purplish suffusion.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

In areas where the larval foodplants are found.

When to see it

It mainly flies in May and June, but in the south there is a second brood in August and September.

Life History

The caterpillars feed internally in the seed capsules of various campions (Silene) and catchfly (Lychnis).

UK Status

Distributed widely over much of Britain, and fairly common in places. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant).

Reference
73.276 BF2166

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
Campion
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
79
First record:
29/05/2012 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
28/05/2026 (Bradbury, Amanda)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records