Noctuidae: Acronictinae

2289 (ABH73.045) Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR08787

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
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Storrington, Sussex. 06-05-2018. Light trap.
Storrington, Sussex. 06-05-2018. Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Diagnostic Details
Diagnostic Details
 Photo © Peter Bissell
on Bramble, Great Staughton
on Bramble, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
on Dock, Great Staughton
on Dock, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Monks Wood, March 2003
Monks Wood, March 2003
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood, Sept 2008
Monks Wood, Sept 2008
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 21st Sept. 2020. On Self-heal
Hemingford Grey, 21st Sept. 2020. On Self-heal
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 21st Sept. 2020. Basking.
Hemingford Grey, 21st Sept. 2020. Basking.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This is a quite variable species, some examples of which can resemble other members of the Acronicta genus.

 

Pupates in leaf litter.

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

Forewing length: 16-20mm.
Foodplant(s): docks (Rumex spp.), Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), plantains (Plantago spp.), Water Mint (Mentha aquatica), Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), Common Hop (Humulus lupulus), hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), Burnet Rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia), sallows (Salix spp.), broadleaved shrubs
Flying: Two generations, May-June and August-September
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Grassland, heathland, fens, scrub, gardens and open woodland.

Regional Information

Recorded in 101 (37.4%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in September 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 09 April to 13 October

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 16 June to 07 October

Similar Species
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Poplar Grey Subacronicta megacephala (=Acronicta)
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
 Photo © Martin Lovell
Coronet Craniophora ligustri


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
Black, red, blue, white, brown, yellow
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5