Large Yellow Underwing Moth
Noctua pronuba
This record describes Noctua pronuba (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Wikipedia reference for Noctua pronuba: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noctua pronuba.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Cutworm Moths and Allies)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Noctuini
- Genus
- Noctua (Yellow Underwings)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It occupies a range of habitats.
Seasonal Activity
It flies from July to September and is freely attracted to light; often hundreds arriving at the moth-trap in peak season.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Caterpillars feed on a variety of herbaceous plants and grasses.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Abundant throughout Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Noctua pronuba. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Large Yellow Underwing Moth (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Large Yellow Underwing Moth
How big is Large Yellow Underwing Moth?
30mm to 35mm (1.18" to 1.37")
Where is Large Yellow Underwing Moth found?
Habitat: It occupies a range of habitats.
When is Large Yellow Underwing Moth active?
Large Yellow Underwing Moth: seasonal activity - It flies from July to September and is freely attracted to light; often hundreds arriving at the moth-trap in peak season..
What is the life cycle of a Large Yellow Underwing Moth?
Caterpillars feed on a variety of herbaceous plants and grasses.