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Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum

All species within Agrotis have in common the colour difference between the sexes. And not only that, all species are rather variable in colouring. The males are usually ochreous, but the basic colour may vary from sandy to dark brown. Females are usually greyish. Their colour range is from light silvry grey to almost black. The Turnip Moth is very similar to the Heart and Dart and the Heart and Club. Luckily telling them apart is not frightfully difficult. The Heart and Dart has a black collar. Looking up front makes this an easy way to tell it apart from the other two. Looking from above it is easy as well, for the black collar is still visible as a black line between head and body. The colour of the collar of the Turnip Moth is the same as the basic colour. The Heart and Club actually is smaller than the Turnip Moth. It is also smaller to the eye, for the wings are much less broad than those of the Turnip Moth. Also the edge of the round spot in the Heart and Club is much more pronounced than that of the Turnip Moth.

The Turnip Moth measures some 17 to 23 mm. On the wing are three remarkable spots. The first is club shaped, the second is a circle and the third is called the kidney spot. However in members of the genus Agrotis it is often heart shaped. Sometimes one or more of these markings are dark inside. In dark brown or blackish animals you may not see these markings however. The collar is not black. The legs are ringed. The hindwings are white with a blueish glare and darker veins. The Turnip Moth usually is on the wing from May to October in two generations.

It is almost impossible to tell the caterpillars of Agrotis species apart. It may be up to 40 mm in length, is rather greyish and looks like it is greasy. Especially the caterpillars of the Turnip Moth and the Heart and Dart can be harmful in agriculture, gardens and parks. When the eggs hatch, the young caterpillars first eat from the leaves of the host plant, causing little problems. But then they move downwards. They dig a little hole in the earth. In there they spend the day. After sunset they come out of their retreat and eat the plant right above the roots. And that is exactly why they can be very harmful indeed. The Turnip Moth eats numerous plants, ranging from onions and sellery to sugar cains.

This is a common species all over Britain, but less common in Scotland. This European species has been transported to most parts of the world, except for Northern America.