Noctuidae : Hadeninae
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Photo © Raymond A Watson,  Hollesley, Suffolk. 9 April 2019

Immature stages

Similar Suffolk Species
Lead-coloured Drab
Orthosia populeti
Clouded Drab
Orthosia incerta
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Northern Drab
Orthosia opima

(Hübner, 1809) 2184 / 73.248

Morley's Final Catalogue: Not listed. Morley states: 'is a west and northern insect in our isles'. The first county record was sometime between 1940-1960 at Stowmarket (H. E. Chipperfield).

Recent Suffolk Status: Very local and scarce, in scattered colonies along the coast between Landguard, Felixstowe and Dunwich. Very rarely wanders inland. One recent record from the Brecks that may have come from Cambridgeshire.

Life history: Single-brooded. Almost all Suffolk records are of the plainer saltmarsh form, reflecting the habitat the moths originate from. Adult moths have been found at rest after dark on saltmarsh vegetation. Comes to light in small numbers.

Identification: Lead-coloured drab has a more rounded forewing. Clouded drab is larger and normally has small areas of dark shading, not the extensive band present in Northern drab.

Habitat: Saltmarshes.

Recorded in 10 (17%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1940.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats

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Determination
List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
13/04/2024125TM44 - Orford Ness
21/04/2023125TM34 - Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
17/04/2023125TM23 - Felixstowe/Landguard Point
06/05/2022126TL78 - Brandon/Lakenheath
29/04/2022125TM23 - Felixstowe/Landguard Point
Show Details | 1990 to 2024 | 2000 to 2024 | Graph Key
Express Record Northern Drab
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Copyright © Lepidoptera UK 2025
   
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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Forewing: 15-17mm.
Flight: One generation April-May.
Foodplant:   Herbaceous and woody plants
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Former Status: Local
Verification Grade:  Adult: 2
 Immature Adult   [Show Flight Times]
     
Underlying maps using Digital Map Data © Norfolk Online Lepidoptera Archive - NOLA™ - Suffolk 2025. © James Wheeler - Norfolk Moths 2007 - 2025. Data © NOLA™ - Suffolk 2025
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