Last modified: Jan. 9, 2023, 6:37 p.m.
A rather common species throughout Belgium, more frequent than Noctua janthina.
Native
Wingspan: 30–40 mm.
Extent of black border on upperside hindwing shows a gap near costa in contrast to N. janthina were it's very broad and goes completely around, so that the yellow shows just as a central small patch. Underside of the forewing shows a finger-like projection of the black area into the yellow suffusion. Distal edge of postmedian band is less acutely angled than it is on N. janthina. Subterminal line on upperside of forewing is 'jagged' in contrast to N. janthina were it's smoother and distinctly less 'jagged'. At rest present species is a little bit larger, has distinct contrastingly banded legs and is not so broad winged as N. janthina.
Little difference in the male genitalia of Noctua janthina, except in the everted vesica of the aedeagus.
Hibernates as a larva and pupates underground.
The adults come to light and sugar.
The adults fly from late June till mid September, sometimes till well into October.
The larva lives on different species of herbaceous plants and shrubs like: Lamium album, Rumex obtusifolius, Chamomilla, Crataegus, Prunus spinosa or Salix.