Clay (moth)

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The Clay

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Mythimna
Species: M. ferrago
Binomial name
Mythimna ferrago
Fabricius, 1787
Synonyms

Aletia ferrago

The Clay (Mythimna ferrago) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe.

The forewings of this species vary from buffish to orangey brown, usually with a darker central line running longways down the wing, interrupted by a pale stigma. There are usually a few small dark spots in the basal area. The hindwings are dark grey with paler margins. The male is easily recognizable by a triangular area of black hair on the underside of the abdomen. The wingspan is 36-44 mm. This moth flies at night in July and August [1] and is attracted to light and sugar.

The larva, brown with yellow stripes, feeds on various grasses including Deschampsia. The species overwinters as a small larva.

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

[edit] External links

[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


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