Northern Deep-brown Dart

The Northern Deep-brown Dart (Aporophyla lueneburgensis) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in northern and western Europe.

As the common name suggests, this species usually has very dark brown forewings, although paler grey forms exist. There is always a much darker central band, almost black in the darker forms. By contrast the hindwings are much paler, often almost pure white but usually with darker venation. The wingspan is 36–41 mm. It flies at night in August and September and is attracted to light and sugar as well as various flowers.

The larva usually feeds on heather but has been recorded on other low plants such as bird's-foot trefoil.^[1] This species overwinters as a small larva.

Taxonomy

Aporophyla lueneburgensis may be a subspecies of Aporophyla lutulenta.

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

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

External links

• Lepiforum
• Funet Taxonomy
• Fauna Europaea