73.319 : 2087 : 10,351
Noctuidae : Noctuinae

Turnip Moth

AGROTIS segetum ([Denis & Schiffermüller],1775)
Picture
Picture
Description
Wingspan: 32-42mm
Worldwide Distribution: Found in the Palearctic, Afro-tropical and Oriental Regions
UK Distribution: Found throughout Great Britain but fewer records in Scotland : Isle of Man-local : Ireland-fairly frequent : Channel Isle-widespread and frequent
UK Conservation Status -
  • Common = >300 10Km Squares
European Conservation Status -
  • Least Concern
Original Species Name:-
  • Noctua segetum ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Type Species - Agrotis
  • Noctua segetum ([Dennis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Type Locality -
  • Austria-Vienna Region
Flight Period: Southern and central England-April to July & August to November-two generations : Northern areas-May to July(peak)(second generation can be partial)
Habitat: Many habitat types : Gardens : Woodlands : Parks : Agricultural land
Similar Species:-
  • Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia (Hübner, [1808])
  • Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel, 1766)
Larva: Viewed from side-above the spiracles the ground colour is olive brown with rows of black spots. Viewed on top-has wide lateral band in light brown with a central thin,light brown lateral line at centre. Larva feeds at night
Pupa: Pupates in April in an underground cocoon
Overwinters as: Larva
Observations: The moth gets its common name for the lava's liking for many roots crops including Turnip,Carrot,Beet,Swede and Cabbage and is often the case is regarded a pest, due to crop destruction.The larvae are also known as "cut-worms".

The colour variation of this moth puts it between light brown to black.

The stigmata,orbicular spot and dart shaped marking appear to be hollow and are ringed in white and black. With black individuals these markings appear to be missing.
The hindwing is usually white.

The moth is a regular visitor to the moth trap and is also attracted to sugar.


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.
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Larval Food Plants
Taxonomy
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Type Locality:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Noctuoidea
Noctuidae
Noctuinae
Noctuini
AGROTIS Ochsenheimer, 1816
Agrotis segetum ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
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NOCTUA segetum ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
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= NOCTUA segetum ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) 
= Noctua sordida Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
= Noctua segetis Fabricius, 1794
= Bombyx catenatus Haworth, 1803
= Bombyx connexus Haworth, 1803
= Bombyx monileus Haworth, 1803
= Bombyx nigricornutus Haworth, 1803
= Bombyx pectinatus Haworth, 1803
= Bombyx subatratus Haworth, 1803
= Noctua fervida Hübner, 1824
= Agrotis sicula Boisduval, 1840
= Agrotis dimidia Zeller, 1847
= Agrotis sicania Guenée, 1852
= Agrotis aversa Walker, 1857
= Agrotis correcta Walker, 1857
= Agrotis marginalis Walker, 1857
= Agrotis obliviosa Walker, 1857
= Agrotis denticulosa Wallengren, 1860
= Agrotis certificata Walker, 1865
= Agrotis conspurcata Walker, 1865
= Agrotis repulsa Walker, 1865
= Agrotis ingrata Butler, 1878
= Agrotis fucosa Butler, 1881
= Agrotis lassa Swinhoe, 1886
= Euxoa glaucina Kozhanchikov, 1923.
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AGROTIS Ochsenheimer 1816
= Powellinia Oberthür 1912
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Ankündung eines systematischen Werkes von den Schmetterlingen der Wienergegend  : Title Page :   p.81 - n.12
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Austria-Vienna Region