Lunar Underwing
Agrochola lunosa
The 'lunar' in its name refers to the dark, crescent-shaped mark on its hindwing, which resembles a crescent moon.
- Scientific name
- Agrochola lunosa
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Noctuidae › Agrochola
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Grasslands, lawns, pastures, heathlands, and open woodlands.
- Diet
- Larvae feed on various grasses (Poaceae); adults feed on nectar, overripe berries, and ivy blossoms.
- Range
- Western Europe, British Isles, North Africa
- Size
- Wingspan of 32-38 mm
- Lifespan
- 1 year (mostly as egg and larva; adults live for 3-4 weeks)
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Light pollution disrupting nocturnal behavior, habitat loss from intensive agriculture, and pesticide use.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless. If one flies into your home, attract it to an outdoor light or gently trap it in a cup and release it outside. Safe to handle gently, though touching their wings can brush off their protective scales.
The lunar underwing ( Omphaloscelis lunosa ) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It has a scattered distribution in western Europe including Spain, Scandinavia and Algeria.
Photo: Andreas Manz, CC0, via iNaturalist
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