Deep-brown Dart
Common NameDeep-brown Dart
Scientific NameAporophyla lutulenta
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)38
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsdark brown, grey-brown, tan
HabitatHeathland, chalk grassland, coastal dunes, gardens, and other open habitats
Geographic RangeWestern Europe, North Africa, and eastwards to Central Asia
Host Plantsgrasses, heather, various herbaceous plants
Flight PeriodLate August to early November
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae are nocturnal, feeding on low-growing plants and grasses. They overwinter as larvae, pupating in the soil during spring or early summer, with adults emerging in late summer and autumn.
Identification TipsLook for its overall dark, mottled brown and grey appearance, especially on the forewings, and its late flight period in autumn. The hindwings are typically paler.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled dark brown and greyish-brown forewings, often featuring indistinct darker markings, providing excellent camouflage against bark or wood.
