Noctuidae : Noctuinae
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Photo © Samuel Chamberlin,  10/07/2021 - Stutton

Immature stages

Similar Suffolk Species
Large Yellow Underwing
Noctua pronuba
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Lunar Yellow Underwing
Noctua orbona

(Hufnagel, 1766) 2108 / 73.344

Morley's Final Catalogue: Rare, and usually found singly, but quite widely distributed. Ipswich (Ml); Waldringfield, singly annually but several on sugar in June 1899 (Wlr); Bury (Skepper); Tuddenham in 1891 (W. M. Christy), Barton Mills in 1930 (Wiltshire), Brandon (Barrett). Gorleston in July 1923, 1927 and 1930 (Mr). Henham in early August 1937 (Btn).

Recent Suffolk Status: Local in the Sandlings and Breck, with scattered records at other sites across the county. Suffolk is one of the strongholds for this scarce species in the UK.

Life history: Single-brooded. Adults emerge in May and June, then aestivate until August/September before appearing again. Adults have been disturbed in the daytime in heathland habitat and have also been noted in Suffolk on Heather flowers after dark.
Larval habits and habitat have been well-studied in the county. They can be found, sometimes in quite big numbers, early in the year at night in areas of sparse or tussocky acid grassland, mainly feeding on fine-leaved grasses such as Sheep's fescue and Wavy Hair grass. Areas which are invaded by Bracken or colonized by a lot of Heather soon become unsuitable. Regular disturbance of the soil at heathland sites in both the Brecks and the Sandlings for the benefit of some heathland bird species is creating much suitable habitat for this moth.

Identification: Large yellow underwing also has a black mark in the corner of the forewing but is a much larger moth. Lesser yellow underwing is slightly larger and lacks the black mark in the wing corner.

Habitat: Heathland, acid grassland, wide grassy rides in forestry plantations and woods on sandy soils.

Recorded in 45 (78%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1891.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats

< Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing | Lesser Yellow Underwing >

Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
23/09/2024226TL78 - Brandon/Lakenheath
20/09/2024125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
12/09/2024125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
10/09/2024225TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
09/09/2024125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
Express Record Lunar Yellow Underwing
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Copyright © Lepidoptera UK 2024
   
Click Map for Details

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Forewing: 17-20mm.
Flight: One generation June-Sept.
Foodplant:   Grasses and small herbaceous plants
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Nationally Scarce
BAP Status: Priority Species
Former Status: Nationally Scarce B
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2
 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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