Poplar grey

Poplar grey
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Acronicta
Species:
A. megacephala
Binomial name
Acronicta megacephala

The poplar grey (Acronicta megacephala) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found throughout Europe.

Caterpillar

Technical description and variation

A. megacephala F. (3b). Forewing pale grey, suffused with dark, except in a patch beyond cell hindwing white in male, greyer in female. Larva dark grey, with granulated yellowish dots; segment 11 with a large yellowish-white dorsal patch; the hairs, which rise singly, whitish : head black with pale — In grumi Alph. the forewing is narrower, the space between inner line and median shade conspicuously whitish; this form is found in West China. — ab. ochrea Tutt has the ground colour distinctly ochreous; while in ab. rosea Tutt the forewing is rosy-tinged.

For a key to the terms used, see Glossary of entomology terms.

[1]Melanic forms sometimes occur. The wingspan is 40–45 mm. [2]

Biology

This moth flies at night from May to August [1] and is attracted to light and sugar.

The hairy larva is grey with black and red markings and a white patch towards the rear. It feeds on poplars and willows and sometimes on grey alder. The species overwinters as a pupa.

  1. ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

References

  1. ^ Warren. W. in Seitz, A. Ed., 1914 Die Großschmetterlinge der Erde, Verlag Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart Band 3: Abt. 1, Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen eulenartigen Nachtfalter, 1914Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ Michael Fibiger, László Ronkay, Axel Steiner & Alberto Zilli,, Noctuidae Europaeae Volume 11 Pantheinae, Dilobinae, Acronictinae, Eustrotiinae, Nolinae, Bagisarinae, Acontiinae, Metoponiinae, Heliothinae and Bryophilinae. 504 S., Entomological Press, Sorø 2009 ISBN 978-87-89430-14-0
  • Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (reprinted 1991)
  • Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984
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