Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Taken at Aston, Oxon., on August 14th 2025. (© David Hastings) (Canon R6+RF100, f/11, 1/250th, ISO12800, 100mm) DescriptionFamily: Noctuidae (ABH : 73.327) Wing span: 30 - 50mm This moth is identifiable by its size, and by the presence of a black dart which extends outwards from the kidney mark, almost meeting two smaller darts extending inwards from the outer part of the forewing. It can be found throughout the British Isles. It is abundant in some years. It has been reported from most habitats, including gardens, farmland, heathland, moorland, parks, woods and dunes. As an immigrant it can be found in any month of the year, but is most numerous from July to October. Spring arrivals are thought to give rise to summer larvae, with the resulting adults supplementing the autumnal immigrants. The autumnal brood may migrate south. It doesn't over-winter in the British Isles. Larvae probably feed on herbaceous plants. It is strongly attracted to light. Earliest UK sighting: 15th February ; Latest UK sighting: 1st September Sightings
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