Spectacled Nettle Moth

A fairly common, widespread species; no concerns.

Adults are on the wing in June and July.

Nova Scotia west across Canada to Vancouver Island, south to North Carolina, Missouri, Texas, Colorado and Oregon. It occurs throughout southern Alberta, from the valleys of the arid grasslands through the parklands and north into the southern Boreal Forest to at least Lac la Biche. It is apparently absent from the foothills and mountains.

"A medium-size (3.0-3.2 cm wingspan) moth with dark grey-black wings. The thin, black antemedian and postmedian lines and the thin black line around the extremely large reniform and doubled orbicular spots of the forewings are marked by raised jet-black scales. The black antemedian and postmedian lines are preceded and followed respectively by dull red-brown scales. The basal and subterminal areas are somewhat paler, mottled with lighter grey and pale red-brown. The spots are often filled with paler grey scales, and there is a thin black terminal line. The hindwings are grey on the basal half, with a dark discal crescent, and black on the outer half. There is a prominent tuft on the thorax. The antennae in both sexes, which are similar in appearance, are simple. The dark forewing with the three large spots marked in raised black scales is unique among Alberta moths."

Woodland clearings and edges, etc. where nettle occurs.

Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single brood each year.

No Alberta data; elsewhere the larvae are reported to feed on Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica).

Abrostola urentis, the spectacled nettle moth or variegated brindle, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found in North America from Nova Scotia west across Canada to Vancouver Island, south to North Carolina, Missouri, Texas, Colorado and Oregon.

The wingspan is 30–32 mm. Adults are on wing from June to July in one generation depending on the location.

The larvae feed on Urtica dioica.