Varied Coronet - Hadena compta

Wingspan 25-30 mm. Bold black and white forewing with cross band complete and meeting trailing edge about halfway along (not diagonal as in Marbled Coronet).

Calcareous grassland and gardens.

The main flight period is from June to July, when the species comes to light.

The main foodplant is Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), and as a result it is often common in gardens, but it also feeds on Bladder Campion, in both cases consuming the seeds. It overwinters as a pupa.

An adventive colonist, being relatively unknown in the British Isles until the late 1940's when it started to appear in numbers in the south-east. Since then it has spread rapidly and now can be found as far north as Lincolnshire. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

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