73.075 BF2404

Eastern Bordered Straw Heliothis nubigera

Herrich-Schäffer, 1851

Wingspan c.40 mm.

This rare immigrant was unknown in Britain until 1958 when three appeared in late May as part of a larger influx into Europe.

Thereafter, singles were recorded in 1992 and 1999. In May/June 2006 there was an unprecedented influx which more than doubled the number of previous records. Some of these undoubtedly laid eggs resulting in fresh, locally bred individuals appearing in some parts.

The species occurs abroad in Europe eastwards as well as the Canary Islands and feeds on a range of cultivated and wild plants.