About

The small magpie is a common moth in most of the UK, living in parks, gardens and other places where its caterpillars can feed on common nettles. It can be easily disturbed during the day, taking flight as you brush past its hiding spot in the vegetation. It flies at night and is often attracted to lights, sometimes drawing it into houses through open windows.

Although common nettle is this moth's main food plant, caterpillars have also been recorded feeding on other species, including woundworts, bindweeds and mints. The caterpillars feed within a rolled up leaf. They spend the winter as a caterpillar, inside a silken cocoon, then pupate in the spring.