| 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[1] and is also found in Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, central Asia and the western parts of temperate Asia.
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.[2] 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.