Barred Straw - Gandaritis pyraliata

Wingspan 28-33 mm. This moth is easily identified due to its unique resting posture with the forewings held extended and covering the hindwings.

Hedgerows, gardens, woodland rides, scrubby grassland.

Mid June to Early August.

The larvae feed on various Bedstraws. overwinters as an egg, pupates among plant debris.

It is fairly frequent and distributed over much of mainland Britain, but scarcer in the North of Scotland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)