Rusty Shoulder Knot Moth
Common NameRusty Shoulder Knot Moth
Scientific NameApamea sordens
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, rusty-brown
HabitatWoodlands, grasslands, gardens, agricultural areas
Geographic RangeEurope, Asia, North America
Host PlantsPoa, Festuca, Dactylis, Triticum, Hordeum
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are stout, greenish-brown or greyish, and feed on the roots and stems of various grasses and cereal crops. They overwinter as larvae and pupate in the soil in spring.
Identification TipsLook for the mottled grey-brown forewings with a subtle rusty or reddish-brown tint near the thorax, though this can be variable. The characteristic reniform and orbicular spots are present but often indistinct, and a wavy pale subterminal line is usually visible. Can be confused with other *Apamea* species.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled grey-brown forewings featuring complex darker markings, including indistinct reniform and orbicular spots, and a pale subterminal line. The overall appearance is cryptic, blending well with bark or wood.
