73.255 : 2145 : 9895
Noctuidae : Hadeninae

The Nutmeg

ANARTA (Calocestra) trifolii (Hufnagel, 1766)
Picture
Life Cycle Guide
Picture
Description
Alternative Name: Clover Cutworm
Wingspan: 30-35mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe : Niger : Tunisia : Iran : Quebec
UK Distribution: Southern & South-east England-Common and widespread : Midlands/Wales Northwards to Southern Scotland-Local species : Ireland/Shetland-Rare : Isle of Man-local : Channel Isles-widespread and abundant
UK Conservation Status -
  • Common = >300 10Km Squares
European Conservation Status -
  • Least Concern
Original Species Name -
  • Phalaena trifolii (Hufnagel, 1766)
Type Species - Anarta
  • Phalaena myrtilli (Linnaeus, 1761)
Type Locality -
  • Germany-Berlin Region
Flight Period: South-Double brooded-June to July & September to October : Midland northwards-Single brooded-June to July
Habitat: Prefers open spaces : Gardens : Downland : Woodland : Fens : Waste ground
Similar Species:-
  • Dusky Brocade Apamea remissa f.obscura (Hübner, [1809])
Larva: The larva is subject to a few colour forms although viewed from the side there is a common lateral line through the spriracles in buff to light brown with a fine line either side in yellow.Below this lateral line the larva is always green but above the line colour variation between green through olive green to dark green. The latter viewed from above have three fine lateral lines in yellow with the outer lines having small black marks at each abdominal segment.The larva is double brooded in the south in June to July and September to October and single brooded in the north from August to September.
The larva feeds at night.
Pupa: Pupates in a fragile cocoon underground
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: The kidney shaped lobe of the reniform stigmata facing the dorsum is always darker than the forewing ground colour whereas the orbicular spot is lighter.The forewing tends to be narrow with a straight termen.
Another feature in identifying this moth is the subterminal cross-line which is yellowish and forms two dentate type markings which when joined together produce the letter "W".
The forewing is light grey to dark brownish grey or sandy brown with grey markings.

The orbicular spot and reniform stigmata tend to be strongly edged in white which helps to identify the Nutmeg A. trifolii from its similar species the Dusky Brocade A.remissa and the letter "W" is only positively formed with this moth, the similar species failing to complete the letter "W"

It is possible this moth is an immigrant species as latter broods tend to be more numerous.

Like many of the other noctuids this moth is strongly attracted to the light trap,sugar and is fond of flowers.
Photo Gallery
List : 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 - ANARTA:

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Species Names



Literary Ref:

Type Locality:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Hadeninae
Hadenini
ANARTA Ochsenheimer 1816
calocestra Beck, 1991
Anarta (Calocestra) trifolii (Hufnagel, 1766)
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Phalaena myrtilli (Linnaeus, 1761)
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PHALAENA trifolii (Hufnagel, 1766) 
= Hadula latemarginata (Wiltshire, 1976)
= Discestra trifolii latemarginata Wiltshire, 1976
= Hadula (Calocestra) latemarginata.
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Berlin. Magazin 3 (4) : Title Page : p.398 - n.70
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Germany-Berlin Region