Dark Arches
Common NameDark Arches
Scientific NameApamea monoglypha
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyHadeninae
Wingspan (mm)52.5
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, black, ochre
HabitatWoodlands, grasslands, gardens, hedgerows, fens, marshes
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, temperate Asia
Host PlantsDactylis glomerata, Poa annua, Festuca spp., various grasses
Flight PeriodJune to September
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are subterranean, feeding on the roots and lower stems of various grasses, overwintering as larvae and pupating underground in spring.
Identification TipsLook for the dark, mottled forewings with prominent, often dark-edged reniform and orbicular stigmata; the overall cryptic coloration helps it blend seamlessly with bark or dead leaves.
Description
A robust, medium-sized moth with cryptically patterned forewings, typically mottled in shades of brown, grey, and black, featuring distinct kidney-shaped and circular stigmata.
