Noctuidae: Hadeninae

2188 (ABH73.242) Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta, (Hufnagel, 1766)

KR10037

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton, ex larva, March 2012
Great Staughton, ex larva, March 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton, ex larva, March 2012
Great Staughton, ex larva, March 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton, ex larva, March 2012
Great Staughton, ex larva, March 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Monmouthshire, 1st April 2008.
Monmouthshire, 1st April 2008.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 11th April 2020. Light trap.
Hemingford Grey, 11th April 2020. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monmouthshire.
Monmouthshire.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Orton Waterville
Orton Waterville
 Photo © Jonathan Newman
Storrington, West Sussex, 7th April 2018. 20w wemlit trap.
Storrington, West Sussex, 7th April 2018. 20w wemlit trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Final instar, Great Staughton, May 2011
Final instar, Great Staughton, May 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Final instar, Great Staughton, May 2011
Final instar, Great Staughton, May 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Early instar, Great Staughton, April 2011
Early instar, Great Staughton, April 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Early instar, Great Staughton, May 2011
Early instar, Great Staughton, May 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Final instar, Great Staughton, May 2011
Final instar, Great Staughton, May 2011
 Photo © Peter Bissell


General Information

This species is very variable.

 

Pupates in loose soil.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes come to light.

Forewing length: 16-20mm.
Foodplant(s): oaks (Quercus spp.), birches (Betula spp.), sallows (Salix spp.), broadleaved trees
Flying: One generation, March-May
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Broadleaved woodland, scrub, heathland and gardens.

Regional Information

Recorded in 131 (48.5%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in June 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 31 January to 30 December

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 18 April to 06 June

Similar Species
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
 Photo © Martin Lovell
Northern Drab Orthosia opima
Hemingford Grey, 14th March 2014. Male.
Hemingford Grey, 14th March 2014. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Lead-coloured Drab Orthosia populeti
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis
ex. Larva, Great Staughton
ex. Larva, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Twin-spotted Quaker Anorthoa munda (=Orthosia)


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
Green, blue, white, yellow
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5