Black-banded Brindled Green
Common NameBlack-banded Brindled Green
Scientific NameAporophyla canescens
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)41.5
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, black
HabitatOpen woodlands, heathland, coastal areas, grasslands, gardens
Geographic RangeWestern Europe (including Great Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal)
Host Plantsgrasses, plantain, dock, dandelion
Flight PeriodSeptember to November
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUnivoltine, eggs laid in autumn hatch in spring, larvae feed on low-growing plants until early summer, pupating in soil before adults emerge in autumn.
Identification TipsLook for the mottled grey-brown forewings with a darker central band and pale hindwings. Distinguishing from similar Aporophyla species can be difficult and may require examination of genitalia, but the autumn flight period is a good indicator.
Description
This medium-sized moth has mottled grey-brown forewings, often with a darker central band and a pale subterminal line, providing excellent camouflage against bark. Its hindwings are typically a paler grey.
