Heart and Dart
Common NameHeart and Dart
Scientific NameAgrotis exclamationis
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Primary Colorstan, brown
HabitatGardens, fields, waste ground, open woodlands
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, temperate Asia, introduced to North America
Host Plantsvarious herbaceous plants, grasses, crops
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are cutworms, feeding at night on plant roots and stems, and pupating in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include its robust, furry body, plain sandy-brown forewings with often faint 'heart' and 'dart' markings, and reddish-brown antennae.
Description
A medium-sized, robust moth with plain sandy-brown forewings, often featuring faint darker kidney-shaped and round spots, and reddish-brown antennae.
