Striped Lychnis

Striped Lychnis is a nationally scarce priority species but we are lucky that in the Chilterns we have quite a sizeable population, mostly in Bucks but also in adjacent areas of Berks and Oxon.  That said, of the nearly 1,400 records for Bucks, the vast majority are for larvae seen on its food-plant dark mullein.  Fewer than 30 are of the adult moth which seems quite reluctant to come to light traps.  Paul Bowyer and Karen Roberts had this one as a surprise visitor to their garden trap in Flackwell Heath, Bucks on Wednesday night.

Striped Lychnis