Noctuidae: Noctuinae

2087 (ABH73.319) Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum, ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

KR10351

Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 27th April 2020. Light trap. 1 of 2.
Hemingford Grey, 27th April 2020. Light trap. 1 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 27th April 2020. Light trap. 2 of 2.
Hemingford Grey, 27th April 2020. Light trap. 2 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey, 26th May 2017. MV trap. male.
Hemingford Grey, 26th May 2017. MV trap. male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 7th Aug. 2020. Light trap.
Hemingford Grey, 7th Aug. 2020. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 19th Oct. 2020. Light trap.
Hemingford Grey, 19th Oct. 2020. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This species has very variable colouration from sandy through to brown and black.

 

Pupates underground.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.

Forewing length: 16-21mm.
Foodplant(s): Turnip (roots) (Brassica rapa), Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus), Sugar-beet (Beta vulgaris), Swede (Brassica napobrassica), cabbages (Brassica spp.), plants and shrubs
Flying: Two generations, May-June and August-November
UK Presence: Resident and Immigrant
National status: Common

Habitat

Gardens, farmland, woodland and coastal dunes.

Regional Information

Recorded in 128 (47.4%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in December 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 12 April to 11 December

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 05 July to 05 July

Similar Species
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Heart and Club Agrotis clavis
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamationis
 Photo © Barry Dickerson
Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Wrinkled
Colours:
Grey, brown, black
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5