Species Details

ABH: 73.193

BF: 2270

Family: Noctuidae

Subfamily: Xyleninae

Taxon: Anchoscelis lunosa

Authority: (Haworth, 1809)

Vernacular: Lunar Underwing

Account: Common in a wide range of habitats, including grassland, parks, downland and gardens throughout the British Isles Variable in colour and extent of markings, but the pattern of clearly defined whitish veins and subterminal line of black dots makes this an easily recognised noctuid. See also Beaded Chestnut Agrochola lychnidis and Brown-spot Pinion Anchoscelis litura.
Larva feeds on various grasses, including Cock's-foot, Annual Meadow-grass and Yorkshire-fog.

Accounts provided by and used with the kind permission of Mike Wall, Hampshire County Moth Recorder. These will in due course be gradually replaced with species accounts with a Surrey context.

Wingspan: 32 — 37 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 18 Aug (2013) — 29 Oct (2010)

The flight period of overwintering adults are not given. See the flight chart below the distribution map.

Foodplant:

Foodplant accounts are from the HOSTS database — Natural History Museum, London, UK. (CC0).

Status: Least Concern (LC)

UK BAP:

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 5 — Adults unidentifiable 😖 or pending grading 🧐
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/anchoscelis-lunosa/
Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 887

Individuals: 3396

Earliest Year: 1831

Latest Year: 2025

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