Cabbage Moth

Mamestra brassicae

A fairly distinctively marked moth with a white outline of the kidney mark. The ground-colour can vary. Wingspan 37-45mm.

It has three generations and can be seen May to September. Most frequent in cultivated areas, but found in various habitats, including open woodland. It is attracted to light. A resident species and common throughout Britain, but less so further north.

The caterpillars are pests of cultivated brassicas, but will also feed on the leaves of most cultivated or wild herbaceous plants.

Photographs of Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae), taken May 2014, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2014. Camera used Nikon D3200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.