Old lady
This large dark moth is rarely drawn to light, but gathers eagerly at patches of sugary bait painted onto tree trunks after dark.
| Where | Damp ground, riverbanks and old buildings |
|---|---|
| Size | 55 to 65 mm wingspan |
| When | June to September |
The Old lady is a large moth with broad, triangular wings patterned in dark and pale brown streaks that resemble old lace or wood grain, with scalloped wing edges.
It flies from June to September and hides by day in sheds, outbuildings and hollow trees, favouring damp ground near rivers and floodplains. Caterpillars feed in spring on blackthorn and other shrubs after overwintering.
Traits
Habitat
Wetland
Colour
Brown, Grey
Active
Night
To people
Rarely attracted to light but comes to sugar bait; harmless to people.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Similar in size at about 65 to 75 mm wingspan and also dark and cryptic at rest, but the Red Underwing flashes bright pink and black hindwings when disturbed, which the plainer Old lady lacks.
Questions
Is the Old lady dangerous to people?
Rarely attracted to light but comes to sugar bait; harmless to people.
When can you see the Old lady?
The Old lady can be seen from June to September, at night.
Plate retouched from a photo by Mick Talbot, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons Licence
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Butterflies and moths›Owlet moths›Mormo
Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.