Noctuidae : Plusiinae
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Photo © Dave Pearsons,  29/05/2019 - Lattice Avenue, Ipswich

Immature stages

Similar Suffolk Species
Ni Moth
Trichoplusia ni
Plain Golden Y
Autographa jota
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Silver Y
Autographa gamma

(Linnaeus, 1758) 2441 / 73.015

Morley's Final Catalogue: This restless animal, said to be the sole one endowed with perpetual motion, is normally abundant everywhere (cf. Trans. ii, 294) though sometimes quite rare. Occasionally on the wing as late as 10 October at Monks Soham; often at Aster flowers in Easton and Southwold salt-marshes.

Recent Suffolk Status: A very common immigrant, which arrives in numbers most years and breeds in the county. Cannot currently survive the winter.

Life history: Multi-brooded. Has been seen in every month of the year as an adult.
Frequently disturbed in the daytime, flying a short distance before resting again. Also feeds at flowers in the daytime in hot weather. Seen in numbers at dusk feeding at flowers, but seems to ignore light traps running close by. Does come to light, sometimes in numbers, especially at coastal sites during migration. Larvar regularly found in the county feeding on a wide range of plants. In some years there are huge numbers of caterpillars and they can be an agricultural pest.

Identification: Can vary in colour, with pale forms possibly originating from hot climates. The small form gammina is seen most years in small numbers. The Y mark can also vary and can be split.
Plain golden Y is much redder in colour and normally has the Y mark split. Ni moth, a rare immigrant to Suffolk, is smaller, has the Y mark split, forming and n and a spot and a pale spot in the trailing corner of the wing.

Habitat: A wide variety of habitats.

Recorded in 57 (98%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1905.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats

< Golden Plusia | Beautiful Golden Y >

Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
12/11/2024125TM59 - Lowestoft
10/11/2024125TM13 - Brantham/Holbrook
08/11/2024125TM57 - Southwold
08/11/2024125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
08/11/2024125TM46 - Minsmere/Leiston
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
Express Record Silver Y
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Copyright © Lepidoptera UK 2024
   
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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Forewing: 13-21mm.
Flight: Recorded all year. Mainly May-Sept.
Foodplant:   Many plants including Stinging Nettle, Hedge Bedstraw, Clover, brassicas and legumes
GB Status: Immigrant
Verification Grade:  Adult: 1
 Immature Adult   [Show Flight Times]
     
Underlying maps using Digital Map Data © Norfolk Online Lepidoptera Archive - NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024. © James Wheeler - Norfolk Moths 2007 - 2024. Data © NOLA™ - Suffolk 2024
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