Perflua Copper Underwing
Common NamePerflua Copper Underwing
Scientific NameAmphipyra perflua
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyAmphipyrinae
Wingspan (mm)44
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsdark brown, black, pale brown, grey
HabitatWoodlands, forests, parks, and gardens with deciduous trees
Geographic RangeCentral and Southern Europe, extending eastwards into parts of Asia (e.g., Turkey, Caucasus, Central Asia)
Host PlantsPopulus, Salix, Quercus, Betula, Ulmus, Prunus
Flight PeriodJuly to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in autumn and overwinter. Larvae hatch in spring, feeding on various deciduous trees and shrubs, then pupate in the soil or leaf litter before adults emerge in late summer.
Identification TipsKey features include the sharp contrast between the dark median band and the pale, wavy subterminal area of the forewings, along with its robust body and cryptic bark-like coloration.
Description
A medium-sized moth with forewings that are dark brown to blackish in the central area, sharply contrasted by pale, mottled, and scalloped outer margins, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark.
