About

The mullein is a nocturnal moth that can be found in a range of open habitats, particularly in places with chalky soils that have recently been disturbed. Adult moths are brown and easily overlooked whilst resting, as they look just like a piece of dead plant stem. They fly at night, in April and May, when they are sometimes attracted to lights.

The caterpillars are much easier to spot, as they're brightly coloured and feed out in the open, both during the day and at night. They feed on mulleins, particularly great mullein, but will eat the leaves of other plants, including garden buddleias. They spend the winter as a pupa, in a strong cocoon in the ground. They have been known to spend up to five winters in this state before emerging.