Lunar yellow underwing moth  (Noctua orbona)

Classified as Nationally Scarce in Great Britain (3).

The scarce Lunar Yellow Underwing has dark brown forewings but deep yellow hindwings with a broad brownish-black border. There is a black spot on the margin of the forewing (the 'costa') near the apex (2). The moth can suddenly display the hind wings when threatened in order to alarm potential predators (4).

This species has undergone a sustained decline but formerly had a wide distribution in the UK. The current stronghold is in the Brecklands of Norfolk and Suffolk (3). It is also currently reported from north east Scotland, and caterpillars have been found in the Wirral (Cheshire) in 2002 (2). Elsewhere it is known from North Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East, and is a local species in Europe, but is absent from the south-west of Spain and Portugal, southern Greece and Ireland (3).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Generally associated with open grassy sites amongst woodland and heathy, sandy or calcareous areas (3).

Adults of this single-brooded species fly between late June and September, and possibly aestivate during August (1). Caterpillars are present from October to April and feed at night on fine grasses (1). The pupal stage occurs underground (3).

Destruction of fine-grass heaths, and sheep grazing and close-mowing of tufted grasses are the major threats facing this species (2).

The Lunar Yellow Underwing moth is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) priority species. The Species Action Plan aims to maintain the current range of the species. Survey and research has been largely carried out in the Brecks (2).

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Further reading on moths:
Leverton, R. (2001) Enjoying Moths. Poyser, London.
Skinner, B (1998) Moths of the British Isles. Viking, London.