| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae |
| Genus | Mythimna (1) |
| Size | Wingspan: 4.4- 5.2 cm (1) |
Classified as Nationally Scarce in Great Britain (2).
In the UK, this species has been lost from several areas including Cheshire, Buckinghamshire, West Sussex and Hertfordshire (2). At present it is largely restricted to south-western Wales and Cornwall, and Devon, with a few sites in London (4). Elsewhere, it has a wide distribution in Europe from Spain to Sweden, and in Asia through to Japan (2).
Adults of this single-brooded species fly between mid-June and mid-July (1). The caterpillars are present from August to May and overwinter whilst small (1). They feed at night on a number of grasses including common bent-grass and creeping soft grass (4).
This species has suffered as a result of changes in agricultural practices including overgrazing, drainage and application of agricultural chemicals to wet grassland. Furthermore, inappropriate management of woodlands has resulted in woodland glades and rides becoming overgrown and shaded, with detrimental effects to this moth (2).
The Double Line moth occurs in three National Nature Reserves (NNRs), as well as in various Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and other nature reserves. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) aims to maintain the known populations of this moth and to reintroduce populations to five sites from which the species has previously been lost (2).
Further reading on moths:
Leverton, R. (2001) Enjoying Moths. Poyser, London.
Skinner, B. (1984) Moths of the British Isles. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth
Information authenticated by Adrian Spalding.
New images of the rough-toothed dolphin. More
© David Green / British Butterfly Conservation Society Ltd
Butterfly Conservation
Manor Yard
East Lulworth
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5QP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1929 400 209
info@butterfly-conservation.org
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/
Embed this ARKive thumbnail link by copying and pasting the code below.
Terms of Use - The displayed thumbnail may be used as a link from your website to ARKive's online content for not-for-profit private, scientific, conservation or educational purposes only. Portlets may NOT be used within Apps.

MyARKive offers the scrapbook feature to signed-up members, allowing you to organize your favourite ARKive images and videos and share them with friends.