ABH: 73.232
BF: 2231a
Family: Noctuidae
Subfamily: Xyleninae
Taxon: Aporophyla lueneburgensis
=Aporophyla lutulenta
Authority: (Freyer, 1848)
Vernacular: Deep-brown Dart
Account: Common on calcareous grassland, rough meadows, downland, heathland, sand-dunes and gardens throughout England; wanderers do turn up some distance from known colonies.
Fairly well distributed and common in Hampshire, but restricted on the Isle of Wight to the western tip. Wingspan 38-42 mm. Larva feeds on Broad-leaved Dock, Common Sorrel, Sheep's Sorrel and other herbaceous plants, and various grasses.
Formerly one of a species pair with populations in most of Britain referred to A. lutulenta, known as Deep-brown Dart, with northern populations split as Northern Deep-brown Dart A. lueneburgensis. DNA evidence published in 2024 indicates that in fact the species that occurs throughout Britain is A. lueneburgensis, which is now renamed Deep-brown Dart. True lutulenta is a species of southern and eastern Europe.
Wingspan: 38 — 42 mm
Surrey Flight Period: 2 Sep (2016) — 23 Oct (2008)
Foodplant:
Status: Least Concern (LC)
UK BAP: BAP(R)
WCA:
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Verification Grade: 3 — Difficult to identify, an image may be required 🤔🤔
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/aporophyla-lueneburgensis/
* Based on adult records only.
Records: 352
Individuals: 175
Earliest Year: 1903
Latest Year: 2025