Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)

OTHER NAMES: Winter Cutworm, European Yellow Underwing

Latin Etymology: Noctua ("night bird") pronuba ("maid of honour")

Adult Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) at Geddington, Northants - June 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Wingspan: 50-60mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

One of the most common large moths within it's range, the large yellow underwing is a species which feeds on grasses and various herbaceous vegetation.  Originally a native of Eurasia, it has accidentally been introduced to North America where it is now a potentially destructive invasive species which can occur in what is described as "massive, epidemic outbreak numbers" in suitable habitats.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Noctuidae 
Genus: Noctua 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)

OTHER NAMES: Angle Shades Moth

Latin Etymology: Phlogophora (?) meticulosa ("precise attention to detail")

Adult Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) at Geddington, Northants - May 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 45-52mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

The Angle Shades is a widespread moth found throughout Europe.  It has a large variety of host plants including various well known species such as birch, apple, dock, oak, spiniach, nettle and so on.  It's colours vary a little bit to some degree wth some species being more obviously pink than others.  As an adult it mainly flies from May to October.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera 
Family: Noctuidae 
Genus: Phlogophora 
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .