Moths in the Noctuidae family part 2, part 1

Dark arches, Apamea monoglypha

The Dark arches, above, is common throughout Europe in all types of meadows and grassy areas.

The eggs are laid in July and hatch in around 10 days.

The caterpillar is up to 45 mm long, shiny, pale-coloured with black dots, black plates and legs, and a shiny black head. Its foodplants are grasses, although when it is small it feeds on small flowers and seeds. The caterpillar feeds underground at night from August to the following May or June at the base of grass stems, and hide during the day. It overwinters as a caterpillar in a chamber among grass roots.

Pupation is in the soil and under stones in May to July.

Adults emerge in June and July and flies until August. Adult colouration varies considerable in shade. Forewing length is 19 - 26 mm.

Hypena proboscidalis, the Snout

Common throughout Britain in open woodland, hedgerows, gardens and waste ground.

Eggs are laid in July and August.

Caterpillars. The caterpillars eat nettles at night and hides between spun leaves during the day. In August the hibernate over the winter, emerging next spring and pupating in June. Length is up to 25 mm, and is variable in colour from a yellowish green to a dark green with lighter bands between segments, and white lines along the back and sides.

They pupate in a cocoon among nettle leaves.

Adult. It is the palps which stick out in front and form the "snout".The forewings are slightly hooked. They tend to fly at night in June, July and August. In the south there may be a second generation in the autumn. During the day they rest, often in nettles which are the larval foodplant. Wingspan is 31 - 39 mm and forewing length is 15 - 19 mm.

Acronicta rumicis, the Knot grass

The Knot grass is widespread in Europe.

The eggs are laid in batches on the foodplant (see below) in May and August and hatch in around a week.

The caterpillar is found in hedgerows, waste ground, meadows and gardens, and when fully grown has a body length of up to 38 mm. The foodplants include plantains, docks, bramble, thistles, hops, sallow and hawthorn. Caterpillars hatching in August overwinter and pupate among leaf litter the following spring to hatch as adults in May. Caterpillars hatching in May/June pupate in summer, and the adult moth emerges in August.

Adult forewing length is 16 - 20 mm.