ABH: 73.286
BF: 2167
Family: Noctuidae
Subfamily: Hadeninae
Taxon: Hadena perplexa
=Hadena perplexa capsophila
=Hadena perplexa perplexa
Authority: ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Vernacular: Tawny Shears
Account: Found in dry open areas throughout much of England and western Scotland Similar to Lychnis Hadena bicruris which is larger, ground colour brown to dark brown, apex of forewing more obtuse, dorsal extremity of subterminal line parallel to termen; pale examples of Tawny Shears are superficially similar to Sand Dart Agrotis ripae, which is likely to occur in some of the same southern coastal localities, however Sand Dart has longer, narrower forewing and silky white hindwing, sometimes darkened along veins, but without a dark border (MBGBI Vol 9). Larva feeds on Bladder Campion, White Campion, Nottingham Catchfly, Sea Campion and Rock Sea-spurrey, over-wintering as a pupa.
Wingspan: 27 — 36 mm
Surrey Flight Period: 2 May (1990) — 7 Sep (1951)
Foodplant: Silene alba, Silene nutans (Nottingham Catchfly), Silene vulgaris (Bladder Campion).
Status: Least Concern (LC)
UK BAP:
WCA:
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Verification Grade: 2 — Care needed to identify, an image may be required 🤔
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/hadena-perplexa/
* Based on adult records only.
Records: 150
Individuals: 35
Earliest Year: 1903
Latest Year: 2013