73.058 BF2221

The Mullein Cucullia verbasci

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 45-50 mm.

Distributed widely in England, most commonly in the south, and scarcer in Wales, this species is more often found in the caterpillar stage than adults, which however do come to light.

The normal flight period is April to May, and the species occupies a range of open habitats as well as gardens.

The larval foodplants in the wild are various species of mullein (Verbascum), but it also feeds in gardens on Buddleia.