Maps updated: April 2008

Agrotis trux lunigera (Stephens, 1829)

Description: Wingspan 35-42mm. Adults show some variation in base colour; forewings mainly light brown to dark brown; stigmata usually paler than base colour and well defined with a black outline. Hindwings white with pale brown veining, often darker towards the outer margin; white fringe around the outer margin.

Key Identification Features:

• Pale stigmata outlined with black
• White hindwings and fringe on outer margin

Sets:

Flight Period: Unknown in N. Ireland. In Britain according to Skinner flies in July and August.

Status: Recorded only once in N. Ireland in 1973 from the Copeland Bird Observatory, Down. Other Irish records from Cos. Louth, Dublin, Waterford, Cork and Kerry.

Ecology: A coastal species associated with dunes and cliffs. Adults are attracted to light and sugar. The larvae feed on a variety of low-growing plants. In captivity it has been reared on knotgrass Polygonum spp., plantain Planatgo spp. and Dandelion Taraxacum officinale. It overwinters as a larva.

World Distribution: Western Europe.

Caterpillar: