Mouse Moth

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iMouse Moth
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Noctuidae Genus: Amphipyra Species: A. tragopoginis
Binomial name
Amphipyra tragopoginis Clerck, 1759

The Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a very widespread species with a Holarctic distribution.

This is a rather drab but distinctive species. The forewings are uniform dark brown with three blackish spots arranged in a triangle. The hindwings are buffish, darker towards the margins. The wingspan is 32-40 mm. The common name derives from the species' habit of scuttling away on foot when disturbed rather than flying. Despite this, it can fly strongly and is attracted to light, sugar and nectar-rich flowers. Adults are active from July to September ^[1].

The larva is green with white lines and feeds on a wide variety of plants (see list below). The species overwinters as an egg.

1. ↑  The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

[edit] Recorded food plants

• Aconitum
• Anthriscus - Cow Parsley
• Apocynum - Dogbane
• Aquilegia - Columbine
• Artemisia - Mugwort
• Campanula
• Cercis - Eastern Redbud
• Crataegus - Hawthorn
• Epilobium - Fireweed
• Foeniculum - Fennel
• Fragaria - Strawberry
• Galium
• Geranium - Cranesbill
• Ligusticum
• Linaria - Toadflax
• Melampyrum - Cow-wheat
• Mimulus - Monkey-flower
• Nicotiana - Tobacco
• Petroselinum - Parsley
• Plantago - Plantain
• Populus - Poplar
• Prunus
• Quercus - Oak
• Ribes - Redcurrant
• Rosa - Rose
• Rubus - Cloudberry
• Rumex
• Salix - Willow
• Sanguisorba - Salad Burnet
• Urtica - Nettle
• Vitis - Grape

[edit] References

• 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