Photo © Mike Wall

Powdered Quaker

Orthosia gracilis

Checklist Number
73.247 [B&F: 2186]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Hadeninae
Genus:Orthosia
Species:gracilis
Authority:([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Common in marshes, damp woodland and gardens throughout the British Isles, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Widespread and still fairly common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 35-42 mm. The main confusion species is Common Quaker O. cerasi, but the grainy, or powdered, appearance of O. gracilis is usually distinctive, and the innermost half of the reniform stigma is usually darker than the outermost half. Larva feeds on various woody and herbaceous plants, including Eared, Grey and Goat Willow, Black Poplar, Blackthorn, Bog-myrtle, Meadowsweet, Purple Loosestrife and Common Fleabane, over-wintering as a pupa.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)