Hepialidae

06767 Drinker Euthrix potatoria, (Linnaeus, 1758)

BF1640 (ABH66.010)

 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019

General Information

Male drinker moths are large and reddish-brown with orange veins running through the wings. They have an orange furry body. The females are larger and generally more yellowish in appearance, and have a very much larger abdomen. The females often find it difficult to fly properly because of their large size. Both have two whitish markings in the centre of the forewing. The colouring and markings can vary somewhat.

 

Pupates in a papery cocoon usually on a grass stem.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: M 21-25mm. F 28-35mm.
Foodplant(s): Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), couches (Elytrigia spp.), Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Reed Canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea), Wood Small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos), course grasses, reeds (Phragmites spp.)
Flying: One generation, July-August
UK Presence: Resident
National status:

Habitat

Damp grassland, fens, marshes, damp woodland.

Regional Information

There are no records in the system yet in Bulgaria.



Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
black, grey, orange, blue
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5