Toadflax Brocade - Calophasia lunula

Wingspan 26 to 32 mm. 

Areas where Toadflax is found.

It has two generations, sometimes overlapping, from May to August, and migrants sometimes appear away from the main stronghold in July and August.

The larvae, which feed on Toadflax and related species (Linaria spp.), are very colourful, but well camouflaged amongst the foodplant.

As a resident species, this moth was restricted to the south-east and central southern coasts of England, where it frequented mainly shingle beaches. It is a relatively recent colonist, arriving around 1950 and quickly gaining a foothold, but after a decline which led to it being classified as Red Data Book 3, it appears to be expanding again.

Once rare in Leicestershire and Rutland, it now appears well established.