Clay Noctuidae

Mythimna ferrago (Fabricius, 1787)

Description: Wingspan 36-44 mm. Forewings are ochreous grey to light rust. The anterior and postmedian lines are a series of small black dots. Stigmata are inconspicuous except for a small white mark on the reniform stigmata. Hindwings are fuscous with darker veining.

Key Identification Features:

Sets:  male upperside

Flight Period: Late June to mid-August.

Status: Widely distributed and not uncommon in Down and parts of Armagh. Sporadic elsewhere, with a recent record from Derrylin, Fermanagh and Ahoghill and Rathlin Island, Antrim.

Ecology: A grass feeding species found mainly along edges of woodland and in open clearings. Adults come to light in small numbers and visit flowers and honey-dew. The larvae feed from September to May on various grasses.

World Distribution: Western Europe from Scandinavia to Portugal.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2193 Agassiz number: 73.298

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: 

 Thompson, R. S. & Nelson, B., 2003 (Oct 2). [In] The Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland
http://www.ulstermuseum.org.uk/lepidoptera/species.asp?item=6286

[Home]