Turnip Moth

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Turnip Moth
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Agrotis
Species: A. segetum
Binomial name
Agrotis segetum
Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775

The Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a common European species.

This is a very variable species with the forewings ranging from pale buff through to almost black. The paler forms have three dark-bordered stigmata on each forewing. The main distinguishing feature from other Agrotis species is the very pale hindwings, pure white in the males, pearly grey in the females. The wingspan is 32-42 mm. Two broods are produced each year, the adults flying in May and June and again in August and September [1]. The species flies at night and is attracted to light and nectar-rich flowers.

The grey larva, sometimes tinged with purple, feeds on the roots and lower stems of a huge range of plants (see list below) and can be a serious pest of root vegetables and cereals. The species overwinters as a larva.

  1. ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
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Recorded food plants

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References

  • 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
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