Anania coronata

Alternative names
Elder Pearl
Spotted Magpie
Phlyctaenia coronata
Description

Wingspan 22-26 mm. This is an easy species to recognise - its dark brown wings have large pale circular patches and are lightly fringed.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Rough ground and in gardens where Elder flourishes.

When to see it

June to July is the main flight period often attracted to light. Adults can sometimes be disturbed during the day from the foodplant.

Life History

The larvae feed on the young leaves of Elder; they hibernate during the Winter, pupating in the Spring.

UK Status

Fairly common throughout England and Wales, and also Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Quite common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)

Reference
63.018 BF1378

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
Elder Pearl, Spotted Magpie
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Crambidae
Records on NatureSpot:
368
First record:
28/06/2003 (Skevington, Mark)
Last record:
05/09/2025 (Garnett, Richard)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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