Short-cloaked Moth

The short-cloaked moth (Nola cucullatella) is a moth of the family Nolidae. It is distributed through most of Europe. It was collected in 2008 in the greater

Vancouver area of British Columbia (Westham Island). Vancouver is a major shipping port, and is the most probable source area of the introduction

This is a small species (wingspan 15–20 mm) with grey or brown forewings with black basal areas which resemble a short cloak when the moth is at rest. The hindwings are uniform cream or grey. It flies at night in June and July [1] and is attracted to light.

The slightly hairy larva is reddish-brown with white marks along the back. It feeds on various rosaceous plants including apple, Cotoneaster, hawthorn, pear, Prunus, rowan and whitebeam. The species overwinters as a small larva.

^The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.