The poplar grey (Acronicta megacephala) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found throughout Europe.
Poplar grey | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
Family: | Noctuidae |
Genus: | Acronicta |
Species: | A. megacephala
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Binomial name | |
Acronicta megacephala (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
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![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Acronicta_megacephala_larva.jpg/200px-Acronicta_megacephala_larva.jpg)
Technical description and variation
editA. megacephala F. (3b). Forewing pale grey, suffused with dark, except in a patch beyond cell hindwing white in male, greyer in female. Larva dark grey, with granulated yellowish dots ; segment 11 with a large yellowish-white dorsal patch ; the hairs, which rise singly, whitish : head black with pale — In grumi Alph. the forewing is narrower, the space between inner line and median shade conspicuously whitish; this form is found in West China. — ab. ochrea Tutt has the ground colour distinctly ochreous; while in ab. rosea Tutt the forewing is rosy-tinged.
Biology
editThis moth flies at night from May to August [1] and is attracted to light and sugar.
The hairy larva is grey with black and red markings and a white patch towards the rear. It feeds on poplars and willows and sometimes on grey alder. The species overwinters as a pupa.
- ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
References
edit- ^ Warren. W. in Seitz, A. Ed., 1914 Die Großschmetterlinge der Erde, Verlag Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart Band 3: Abt. 1, Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen eulenartigen Nachtfalter, 1914 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- 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