Autographa gamma (Linnaeus, 1758) Species
Last modified: June 5, 2025, 1:36 p.m.
A very common, and regular migrant occurring all over Belgium. Numbers can fluctuate considerably from year to year.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Noctuidae > Subfamily: Plusiinae > Tribus: Plusiini > Genus: Autographa > Species: Autographa gamma
- Vernacular names
- Gamma-uil (NL), Silver Y (EN), Le Gamma (FR), Gamma-Eule (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1844. Énumération des insectes Lépidoptères de la Belgique. — Mémoires de la Société royale des Sciences de Liége 2: 1–35. On page 14 (as Plusia gamma L.). view page
- Status
-
Migrant
A very common and regular migrant, occurring all over Belgium. Numbers can fluctuate considerably from year to year.
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 35–40 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Caterpillar
Bionomics
During mild winters, the species is able to hibernate as a fully grown larva or as a pupa.
The adults are active during the day and also at night when they come to light.
Flight periods
The adults have been observed from early spring till late autumn in several generations a year.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Ononis repens
- Host plant (genera):
- Rubus, Galium, Trifolium and Urtica
- Substrates:
- Herbaceous plants and Cultivated crops
The larva lives on a wide variety of herbaceous plants including Rubus, Galium, Trifolium and Urtica. Also on cultivated crops like tomato, garden pea, cabbage, and runner bean.
