Lead-coloured Drab (Orthosia populeti, (Fabricius, 1781))

Noctuidae: Hadeninae

2185 (ABH73.246) Lead-coloured Drab Orthosia populeti, (Fabricius, 1781)

Hemingford Grey, 14th March 2014. Male.

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Hemingford Grey, 14th March 2014. Male.

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

pre-2000

2000-2009

2010-2019

2020-onwards

Monks Wood NNR, 25th March 2008. Male.

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Hemingford Grey, 15th March 2014

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Hemingford Grey, 15th March 2014

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Hemingford Grey, 15th March 2014

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

Hemingford Grey, 14th March 2014. Male.

Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies

General Information
Pupates in loose soil.
Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 15-17mm.
Foodplant(s): Aspen (Populus tremula), poplars (Populus spp.)
Flying: One generation, March-April
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Local

Habitat

Broadleaved woodland.

Regional Information

Recorded in 37 (13.7%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in March 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 28 February to 20 May

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