Toadflax brocade moth  (Calophasia lunula)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

This moth colonised Britain relatively recently (in 1950), but now appears to be in decline (1). It is found in a small number of sites along the Kent and Sussex coastline (6), and was historically recorded from Essex (6). The species has been observed in most European countries and has become established in North America following an introduction (2).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

This species inhabits shingle and is occasionally found in verges at the side of roads, waste ground and gardens. In all cases it requires a source of the caterpillar foodplant. Caterpillars were originally noted to feed mainly on common (yellow) toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) growing in the open, but in recent years they seem to prefer the naturalised purple toadflax (Linaria purpurea). Pale toadflax (L. repens) and small toadflax (Chaenorhinum minus) have also been mentioned as British foodplants (7).

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