Dingy Shears Noctuidae

Apterogenum ypsillon (Denis & Schiff., 1775)

Description: Wingspan 32-42 mm. Forewings are greyish brown with weakly defined stigmata. The subterminal line is irregular with two small dark wedged-shaped marks near the central area. Hindwings greyish brown with a small discal spot and a paler fringe.

Key Identification Features:

Sets:  male upperside

Flight Period: Unknown in N. Ireland. Skinner gives late June until early August as the normal flight period in Britain.

Status: Rare; last recorded in Belfast at the beginning of the 1990s but not seen since. It was originally recorded by the Belfast Naturalists Field Club from the Glenarm area of Antrim in 1874 and doubtfully from Wicklow in the 19th century and more recently Dublin.

Ecology: A species mainly associated with damp woodland, fens and marshy areas. Adults are attracted to light and are active from dusk onwards. The larvae feed from April until June on willow Salix spp., occasionally poplar Populus spp. and willow Salix spp. It overwinters as an egg.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2314 Agassiz number: 73.222

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=6410

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