Noctuid Moths found in and around Torphins Wood, Scotland

Grey dagger, Acronicta psi

Grey dagger caterpillar, Acronicta psi caterpillar on blackcurrant leaf

Common and found in a wide variety of habitats.

Caterpillar food plants include birch, alder, hawthorn, blackthorn, plum, pear, apple, and many others. Caterpillar length up to 38 mm. Feeds Aug - Oct.

Adult flies June - Aug. Adult length at rest is 17 - 20 mm.

Grey dagger, Acronicta psi

More on the grey dagger and similar moths.

Acronicta rumicis, the Knot grass

Knot grass caterpillar, Acronicta rumicis

Found in hedgerows, waste ground, meadows and gardens.

Caterpillar up to 38 mm. Food plants include plantains, docks, bramble, thistles, hops, sallow and hawthorn.

Adults fly in May and August.

Cerapteryx graminis, the antler moth.

Cerapteryx graminis, Antler moth, male

The caterpillars feed on grasses and rushes from March to June, and the adults fly in July and August, both day and night.

More about Cerapteryx graminis and similar moths

Autographa gamma, Silver Y moth

Autographa gamma, adult, Silver Y moth

Adults are most common in the autumn, and fly both day and night.

Wingspan in 4 cm.

More about Autographa gamma and similar moths

Silver y, Autographa gamma, cocoon

Lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing, Noctua janthe

Flies July to September.

Forewing length 16 - 20 ..

Sallow, Xanthia icteritia

Flies August to October

Turnip moth, Agrotis segetum

Turnip moth, Agrotis segetum, caterpillar

Turnip moth, Agrotis segetum, the caterpillar feeds from July to October and grows up to 47 mm long.

Noctua pronuba, the Large yellow underwing.

Noctua pronuba, Large yellow underwing caterpillar, photograph of the 2 colour types

Caterpillars are found in the soil during the day from August to May, emerging at night to eat the leaves of low growing plants. Adults fly from June to October.

Caterpillars grow to 50 mm long.

Pupa sometimes parasitised by a wasp

Amblyteles armatorius emerging from Large yeellow underwing pupa