This week’s mystery object was found in the Dead Zoo, but not in the collections. I came across this specimen on the stairs on my way into work this morning:
Any idea which species this might be?
Probably a bit on the easy side for the entomologically inclined amongst you, so maybe keep your answers cryptic if you can.
Have fun!
Zygoma 
Not that old chestnut? Should she be barred?
It’s a moth 😜
A black mark for me for the last answer-how I wish for a white mark for a change!
Nice recovery 😉
well, yeah, best i know is Lepidoptera, which for the palearctic brings it down to a nice 22465 sp…. but my question relates to the trailing edge of the wings: is that frayed appearance functional (i.e. like an owl’s feather), or evidence of wear and tear?
Good question! It seems widespread in this family, so I suspect it may serve a function – perhaps like the finging on owl feathers that helps reduce sound generation, as a protection against predators that use sound (owls and bats).
Should this little creature starting hooting at night, then?
Interesting colours, but the markings lead be to believe it is the Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba). Final answer.