Double line moth  (Mythimna turca)

Adults of this scarce moth species are reddish-brown in colour with black cross-lines on the forewings (3). The caterpillar is pale brown in colour with darker cross shaped markings, a whitish line along the middle of the back and a pale brown head mottled with darker brown (4).

In the UK, this species has been lost from several areas including Cheshire, Buckinghamshire, West Sussex and Hertfordshire (1). 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 (1).

This moth inhabits open woodland, woodland rides, damp grassland, parkland and bracken scrub (4).

Adults of this single-brooded species fly between mid-June and mid-July (2). The caterpillars are present from August to May and overwinter whilst small (2). 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 (1).

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 (1).

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.