Morley's Final Catalogue: Not recognised as two species in Morley's time.

Recent Suffolk Status: Fairly common. Less frequently recorded than Copper underwing, possibly due to identification difficulties.

Life history: Single-brooded. Adults occasionally found at rest in buildings and outhouses by day. Can be found fairly commonly on sugar and wine ropes. Larvae have been found in Suffolk in late spring on various trees.

Identification: Very similar to Copper underwing. Recent studies have proved the only reliable external feature to separate the two is the underside of the hindwing. See photos of the underside of the two species in their respective accounts. Svensson's copper underwing has more extensive copper colour, extending beyond the dark cross-band. The copper colour is limited to a much smaller area on Copper underwing, not extending beyond the dark cross-band and there is much more extensive and obvious straw colouration. On very worn moths the features can be hard to see so are best recorded as aggregate records or dissected.

Habitat: Woodland, scrub, hedgerows, gardens.

Verification Grade Comment: Hindwing must be checked or Gen. Det.

Recorded in 40 (69%) of 58 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1967. Last Recorded in 2024. Additional Stats

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