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Noctuidae : Acronictinae

Poplar Grey

SUBACRONICTA megacephala ([Denis & Schiffermüller],1775)
Picture
Life Cycle Guide
Picture
Description
Wingspan: 38-45mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe
UK Distribution: England,Wales & Channel Isles - well distributed and frequent - Scotland & Ireland - locally distributed - Isle of Man - Local & rare
UK Conservation Status -
  • Common = >300 10Km Squares
Original Species Name -
  • Noctua megacephala ([Denis & Shiffermüller],1775)
Type Species - Subacronicta
  • Noctua megacephala ([Denis & Schiffermüller]'1775)
Type Locality -
  • Austria - near Vienna
Flight Period: South - mid April to late August : Elsewhere - Late May to early August
Habitat: Typically where larval food plant grows,eg. Gardens - Parks - Woodland
Similar Species -
  • Knot Grass - Acronicta  (Viminia) rumicis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Larva: The 35mm final instar larva is buff with light greenish small dots all over the body. Viwed from side there are a series of tufts of long hairs fixed to one side of the spiracles.Viewed on top at each abdominal segment id a black backwards facing letter "E" the space between the bars having two red dots each.Towards the rear of the larva on top is a cream patch.The larva sits on top of a leaf in the shape of a question mark.
Pupa: Overwinters hidden in a flimsy cocoon
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: The moth background colour is light to darker shade of grey with darker patches on the forewing especially adjacent to the wing apex and a lighter grey patch above,see photo 2.The almost white orbicular spot is prominent and highlighted with a small black dot at the centre.
At first glance it is easy to see how this moth can be mistaken for its similar species the Knot Grass as both have prominent orbicular spots but on careful study the latter is smaller with cross lines that are distinctive and with an additional diagnostic white spot along the dorsum, two thirds from the base.

In the south there is a possible second generation for this moth.

The Poplar Grey is attracted to the light and is found regularly at the moth trap as well as being attracted to flowers and sugar.Can be found during the day on fences of tree trunks.
Photo Gallery
Larval Food Plants Worldwide
Note - Plants hyperlinked in red below take the visitor to the relevant plant page on"Plants for a Future" website where further information like photos,physical characteristics,habitats,edible uses,medicinal uses,cultivation,propagation,range,height etc. are clearly listed.
  • Plant Families - in bold red below takes the visitor to the relevant "Lepi-plants" page where other butterflies & moths using the plants below are listed.
Larval Food Plants
Taxonomy
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Type Species - SUBACRONICTA:

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Type Locality:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Acronictinae
SUBACRONICTA Kozhantshikov 1950
Subacronicta megacephala ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
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Noctua megacephala ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
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NOCTUA megacephala ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
= Noctua megacephala [Schiffermüller], 1775
= Acronycta megacephala ankarensis Hering, 1933
= Acronicta megacephala dungerni Rangnow, 1935
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Ankündung eines systematischen Werkes von den Schmetterlingen der Wienergegend: : Title Page :  p.67 - n.5
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Austria - near Vienna