Trespassing old lady

This Old Lady moth, Mormo maura, entered a bedroom earlier tonight, and I took its photo as it sat on the wall. This is a large moth, which looks like is wearing a long dark cloak, hence its name. Although nocturnal, it is not attracted to lights, but it appears inside the house, often (but fortunately not tonight) brought in by the cats, but also possibly to roost. It feeds on buddleia and other flowers at night, while the caterpillars feed on blackthorn. It is a local species, but a regular in the garden, with my records from mid July to mid September. I found this grown larvae on a windowsill a few years ago.

Old Lady caterpillar 30/04/2008