Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Male. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on October 5th 2022. (© David Hastings) (1/250th sec at f11)  Female. Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on August 4th 2020. (© David Hastings) (1/100th sec at f13) DescriptionFamily: Noctuidae (ABH : 73.319) Wing span: 32 - 42mm A very variable species, with the forewing ranging from pale sandy, through various shades of brown, to black. The oval, kidney mark and dart mark may be pale-centred or dark. The basal half of the male's antennae are feathered. It can be found throughout the British Isles, but is less numerous in Scotland and Ireland. It is also a regular immigrant. A wide range of habitats are used, including gardens, parks, agricultural land and open woodland. There are usually two generations in southern Britain, May to early July, and August to October. In the north the second generation may be partial or absent. It over-winters as a larva. Larvae feed on the roots and shoots of a wide range of wild and cultivated herbaceous plants. It is regarded as a pest of root crops. Adults are strongly attracted to light and sugar. Earliest UK sighting: 20th May ; Latest UK sighting: 30th October Sightings
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