Major Sallow
Common NameMajor Sallow
Scientific NameEnargia ypsillon
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyXyleninae
Wingspan (mm)38.5
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgreen, black, white
HabitatDamp woodlands, fens, riverbanks, marshy areas
Geographic RangeEurope, across the Palearctic region to Japan
Host Plantswillow, sallow
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in autumn and overwinter. Larvae hatch in spring, feeding on willow leaves, and pupate in a cocoon underground or in leaf litter in early summer.
Identification TipsLook for the characteristic mottled green and black forewings, the prominent Y-shaped mark (often outlined in white) on the forewing, and the dark central band. The furry, green-grey thorax is also distinctive.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled forewings in shades of pale green, olive, black, and white, often featuring a distinctive Y-shaped mark and a dark central band. Its body is stout and furry, matching the wing coloration.
