Satellite (moth)

The Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe.

This is a fairly variable species with greyish or reddish brown forewings, often marked with darker bands. The common name derives from the prominent stigma, ranging in colour from white or yellow to red, which has two smaller spots close to it, apparently “in orbit”. The hindwings are brown with a paler fringe. The wingspan is 40-48 mm. This species flies at night from September to April ^[1] and is active on mild nights throughout the winter. It will come to light but is more strongly attracted to sugar and various flowers.

The larva usually feeds on trees and shrubs (see list below) but has also been recorded on dandelion and also frequently eats the larvae of other species.

1. ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

Recorded food plants

• Acer – Maple
• Amelanchier
• Betula – Birch
• Castanea – Chestnut
• Corylus – Common Hazel
• Crataegus – Hawthorn
• Filipendula – Meadowsweet
• Fraxinus – European Ash
• Lonicera – Honeysuckle
• Malus – Apple
• Prunus
• Pyrus – Pear
• Quercus – Oak
• Ribes – Redcurrant
• Rubus
• Salix – Willow
• Sorbus – Rowan
• Taraxacum – Dandelion
• Tilia – Lime
• Ulmus – Elm
• Viburnum – Guelder-rose

References

• Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
• Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984