Lunar Underwing
Common NameLunar Underwing
Scientific NameOmphaloscelis lunosa
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyHadeninae
Wingspan (mm)34
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, black
HabitatWoodlands, hedgerows, gardens, grasslands
Geographic RangeWestern Europe
Host Plantsgrasses, dandelion
Flight PeriodAugust to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on various grasses, overwinter as eggs, and pupate in the soil.
Identification TipsLook for the variable forewing coloration and the characteristic dark lines and stigmata. The hindwings, if visible, often show a pale crescent mark.
Description
A medium-sized moth with cryptically patterned forewings, typically grey-brown to reddish-brown, featuring intricate darker lines and distinct stigmata.
