The Suspected - Parastichtis suspecta

Alternative names
Suspected Moth
Description

Wingspan 29 to 34 mm. Quite variable, there are a number of forms ranging from quite plain to more variegated examples.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Inhabiting woodland and heathland.

When to see it

The moths are on the wing in July and August.

Life History

The larval foodplants are Birch and Willow.

UK Status

Generally distributed throughout mainland Britain, it is absent from parts of Wales and the south-west, but occurs in Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.

Leicestershire & Rutland Status

Seems to be less common recently in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = B (scarce resident or restricted distribution or regular migrant).

Reference
73.221 BF2268

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Suspected
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
5
First record:
27/06/2011 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
02/07/2025 (Plummer, Anthony)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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