Silver Y
Autographa gamma
This record describes Autographa gamma (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 35-40 mm. It has a distinctive unbroken metallic silver 'Y' mark on the brown and grey marbled forewing, which sometimes has a purple tinge. The adults can be found from spring through till late autumn, and can be seen by day as well as at night, when they regularly visit light. The larvae feed on a wide range of low plants such as Nettles. A well-known immigrant species, this moth can turn up in thousands under the right conditions, especially at coastal migration watch-points. It can occur anywhere in Britain, and in autumn, the breeding population from spring migrants is swelled by further migration. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a migrant.
Wikipedia reference for Autographa gamma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autographa gamma.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Cutworm Moths and Allies)
- Subfamily
- Plusiinae
- Tribe
- Plusiini
- Genus
- Autographa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in various habitats.
Seasonal Activity
The adults can be found from spring through till late autumn, and can be seen by day as well as at night, when they regularly visit light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on a wide range of low plants such as Nettles.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A well-known immigrant species, this moth can turn up in thousands under the right conditions, especially at coastal migration watch-points. It can occur anywhere in Britain, and in autumn, the breeding population from spring migrants is swelled by further migration. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a migrant.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Autographa gamma. 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 Silver Y (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Silver Y
What is Silver Y?
Silver Y (Autographa gamma) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Silver Y found?
Habitat: Found in various habitats.
When is Silver Y active?
Silver Y: seasonal activity - The adults can be found from spring through till late autumn, and can be seen by day as well as at night, when they regularly visit light..
What is the life cycle of a Silver Y?
The larvae feed on a wide range of low plants such as Nettles.