Poplar grey

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

Caterpillar

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

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.

Biology

This moth flies at night from May to August 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, 1914 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • 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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