Diamond-back Moth - Plutella xylostella

Wingspan 13-15 mm. A distinctive moth with a "diamond" like pattern along the length of its back.

In all types of habitat throughout the British Isles, becoming established under favourable conditions when occasionally reaching plague proportions on farms where cabbages are grown.

Two or more generations occur between May and September.

Larvae feed on the leaves of certain types of vegetables as well as weeds.

Common immigrant from mainland Europe sometimes appearing in vast numbers. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as a migrant.

It is a common moth in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common immigrant)