Photo © Mike Wall

Straw Underwing

Thalpophila matura

Checklist Number
73.109 [B&F: 2303]

Verification
Record will be accepted (subject to date and location checks)

Classification

Family:Noctuidae
Subfamily:Xyleninae
Genus:Thalpophila
Species:matura
Authority:(Hufnagel, 1766)

Common on calcareous grassland, moorland, sand-dunes, woodland rides, gardens and parks throughout England and Wales, but mainly coastal in Scotland. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 38-46 mm. Identification easy to confirm by examination of the hindwing, which can be seen by gently lifting up the forewing with forceps, and which is pale straw-coloured with fuscous border extending to one-quarter (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on various grasses, including Annual Meadow-grass, Mat-grass and Silver Hair-grass.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.