The nuisance of 18th-century entomologists: Sweden’s shaded broad-bar

First named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, the shaded broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata) is a grassland moth with a 25–30 mm wingspan. It is easily identified by its forewings—ranging from pale ochreous to deep coffee brown—marked by a prominent, dark central cross-band with a paler inner border. While not strictly a day-flying moth, it is easily flushed from low vegetation if you brush past its habitat during the daytime. In the 18th century, British entomologists gave this species a quirky nickname because it was so overwhelmingly common in tall grass that it constantly got trapped in their nets by accident while they were hunting for rarer insects. Its caterpillars feed exclusively on low-growing legumes, particularly species of vetch (Vicia) and clover (Trifolium). Although I have crossed paths with this moth in meadows across several European countries, I only finally managed to capture a few photos during a walk near Akalla, Sweden.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest posts of related arthropods

Photo taken on 05-09-2026 in Barkarby, Sweden, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings: f16, 1/100, ISO 125.
Camouflaged coats and nighttime feast: T...
Photo taken on 30-08-2026 in Barkarby, Sweden, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings: f16, 1/100, ISO 100.
Dalmatian wings and silken tents: The el...
Photo taken on 30-08-2026 in Akalla, Sweden, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings: f14, 1/50, ISO 160.
One spot or two? Meeting the world-trave...
Photo taken on 30-08-2026 in Akalla, Sweden, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings: f16, 1/50, ISO 160.
Swedish meadow quest: Spotting a hidden ...
Photo taken on 30-08-2026 in Akalla, Sweden, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings: f14, 1/50, ISO 160.
Stained-glass wings and butterfly behavi...
Photo taken on 22-08-2026 in Barkarby, Sweden, with the Nikon Z6-II camera and Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S lens and following settings:  f20, 1/200, ISO 250.
Color illusions and mud puddles: Meeting...
Scroll to Top

Would you prefer to hide close-up spider photos?
Wolisz ukryć zdjęcia pająków?
¿Ocultar fotos de arañas en primer plano?