Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
Noctua fimbriata
This record describes Noctua fimbriata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 45-55 mm. Showing marked sexual dimorphism, the males of this moth are generally shades of darker brown, the females are orangey-buff. Broad-leaved woodland, parkland, heathland and gardens. The adults fly in one generation from July to September. The larvae live on a range of shrubs and plants. Common throughout Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Noctua
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Broad-leaved woodland, parkland, heathland and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly in one generation from July to September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae live on a range of shrubs and plants.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Common 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 fimbriata. 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 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
What is Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing?
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing found?
Habitat: Broad-leaved woodland, parkland, heathland and gardens.
When is Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing active?
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing: seasonal activity - The adults fly in one generation from July to September..
What is the life cycle of a Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing?
The larvae live on a range of shrubs and plants.