Rubbed Dart
Common NameRubbed Dart
Scientific NameAgrotis venustula
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)31.5
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, orange-brown
HabitatOpen woodlands, heathlands, grasslands, gardens
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia
Host PlantsPlantago, Rumex, Taraxacum, Galium
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are cutworms, feeding nocturnally on low-growing plants and overwintering as larvae. Pupation occurs in an earthen cell underground.
Identification TipsKey features include the mottled reddish-brown to greyish-ochreous forewings with prominent, dark-edged orbicular and reniform spots, giving it a cryptic appearance.
Description
The Rubbed Dart is a medium-sized moth with mottled forewings displaying a mix of reddish-brown, grey, and ochreous scales, featuring distinct dark-outlined orbicular and reniform spots.
