Autographa jota (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description: Wingspan 38-46 mm. Forewings light brown with a pinkish tinge. There is a broad darker area running along the dorsum making the wing appear two-tone in appearance. The y-shaped mark is greatly reduced and not as obvious as in A. pulchrina. Antemedian and postmedian lines have a pinkish tinge. Hindwings fuscous with a pinkish tone; small discal spot and a broad darker terminal band.

Similar Species: Beautiful Golden Y A. pulchrina see text

Key Identification Features:

• Reduced gamma mark
• Pinkish tinge to forewings

Sets:

Flight Period: Mid-June to mid-August.

Status: Common and widespread throughout all counties including Rathlin Island.

Ecology: Found in similar habitats to the other Y moths. Adults come frequently to light and also visit flowers. The larvae feed from August to May on Common Nettle Urtica dioica, Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum and probably other low-growing plants.

World Distribution: Eurasiatic; widespread in western from Spain to southern Finland.

Bradley & Fletcher number: 2443 Agassiz number: 73.017

Additional information:

UK Moths account

Caterpillar: