The Tuft Moths (Nolidae) are small triangular butterflies with rounded forewings. A special feature is the raised scales, usually three, in the midfield of the forewing, from where they owe their name. Members of the subfamily Chloephorinae are often coloured vivid green, and the Nolinae are predominantly dull grey or white.
Subfamily: Chloephorinae
Genus: Pseudoips
Green Silver-lines – 2020 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 2.758353)
One of the more beautiful moths in colour is the Green Silver-lines (Pseudoips prasinana). The male has an intensely greener forewing than the female and a bright reddish-pink or pinkish-brown wing seam and evenly colored, sometimes checkered, fringes. The head and body are green, the antennae are orange, and the legs are pink. The three silver-colored oblique transverse lines, which run parallel on the bright green wing, complete the picture that this is a feast for my eyes. The hindwing is yellow, and the brisket is large and hairy. The female has a yellow or greenish-white wing seam and a white hindwing. There is usually a dark shadow next to the transverse lines. The wingspan is 32-38 mm, and the flight period is from April to September in one or sometimes two generations. Host plant: Birch, Beech, Elm, Oak, Aspen, Poplar. Dutch name: Zilveren groenuil. Frisian name: Sulveren grienûltsje.
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Subfamily: Earidinae
Genus: Earias
Cream-bordered Green Pea – 2017 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 753175)
In a resting position, the Cream-bordered Green Pea (Earias chlorana) often keeps its wings roof-shaped above its abdomen. The forewing has a striking bright light green colour and a white costa. The hindwing is white. The flight period is from April to October in three generations, and the wingspan is 16-20 mm. Host plant: Willow. Dutch name: Kleine groenuil. Frisian name: Grien wylgeûltsje.
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Subfamily: Nolinae
Genus: Nola
Short-cloaked Moth – 2017 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 987999)
The Short-cloaked Moth (Nola cucullatella) is nocturnal and is attracted to light easily. At the base of the forewing, there is a brown zone with a black border. When resting, it seems as if he is wearing a cape. The central zone is white, and the rear end is brownish. It flies in one or sometimes two generations from June to September, and the wingspan is 15-20 mm. Host plant: Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Apple. Dutch name: Klein visstaartje. Frisian name: –
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Subfamily: Nolinae
Genus: Nola
Scarce Black Arches – 2022 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 753203)
The most characteristic feature of the Scarce Black Arches (Nola aerugula) to distinguish this moth from other tuft moths is the thin black or brown transverse line slightly off the centre of the forewing. On the inside of that transverse line is a zone of small brown and black dots. Also striking are the three dark-scale pustules on the forewing, which are almost always present and in every colour form. The hind wing is even light grey. The flight period is in one generation from mid-June to mid-August, and the wingspan is 15-20 mm. Host plant: Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Red Clover, White Clover. Dutch name: Licht visstaartje. Frisian name: –
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Subfamily: Nolinae
Genus: Nola
Nola subchlamydula – 2025 (IT)
(NCBI-index: 988000)
It took quite some time before I could identify this species with certainty. Ultimately, I assumed it was the Nola subchlamydula, a species that does not occur in the Netherlands. I could also find no official English name. The forewing usually has a creamy white to greyish ground colour, over which black scales are scattered. Both the markings and the colour show significant variation, not only in hue, but also in extent. The central field usually shows a light cinnamon-brown to brownish-grey band, with a dark central shadow along the outer transverse line. This band can vary greatly: sometimes it is very narrow, while in other cases it fills the entire central field up to the inner transverse line. There is usually a striking, multi-coloured band in the marginal field. This contains a warm cinnamon-brown zone that contrasts sharply with a grey, blackish checkered zone on the outer side. On the inner side, separated by a white, coarsely scalloped, wavy line, there are blackish spots. This spotting pattern is always present and is an essential distinguishing feature compared to related species. Due to the significant variation in intensity, colour and extent of the markings, on the one hand, there are specimens with a weak, not very pronounced light yellow-brown marking, where the usually creamy white background predominates. On the other hand, there are specimens with a more powerful, often grey-brown or even predominantly grey marking, where relatively little of the white or grey background remains visible. A constant and always visible characteristic is the three scale-like pustules, which manifest themselves as white or dark bumps in the middle and root area. The flight period is one generation from April to July, and the wingspan is 17-19 mm. Host plant: Germander, Lavender, Thyme. Dutch name: Zuidelijk visstaartje. Frisian name: –
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