Noctuidae

73.346 Least Yellow Underwing Noctua interjecta caliginosa (Schawerda, 1919)

Common

Similar species: Lesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes can be of a similar colour, but larger (16 to 21mm) with a paler outer edge to the forewing. If care is taken this moth is unlikely to be mistaken for any other British or Irish species.

Forewing: 14 to 15mm

Habitats: Coastal downland and other grassland, sand-dunes, fens, hedgerows and sometimes gardens.

Habits: The moth vists ragwort and other flowers after dark. It only occasionally comes to sugar, but is attracted to light.

Foodplant: The nocturnal larva at first feeds on Meadowsweet, Common Mallow, grasses and other herbaceous plants. In the spring it feeds on woody plants such as sallows, Hawthorns and other shrubs. In captivity it accepts docks, chickweed, Dandelion and Blackthorn. It hides in loose soil or leaf litter during the day. Pupation takes place under the soil.