Bug FAQStraw Underwing
Thalpophila matura · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
The Straw Underwing moth has a wingspan of about 38 to 46 mm. It flies at night during July and August in the British Isles. Its larvae feed on grasses such as Dactylis and overwinter as small larvae.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The forewings are dark brown with pale and reddish patches and a noticeable whitish band near the edge. The hindwings are pale straw-coloured with a broad dark band along the margin.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults measure 38 to 46 mm across the wings.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It prefers dry grasslands, forest edges, and park-like areas.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae are grey-brown and feed on various grasses such as Dactylis.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
The species overwinters as a small larva. Larvae are grey-brown with dark dorsal lines and longitudinal stripes.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are active at night in July and August in the British Isles; timing may differ elsewhere.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It occurs from North Africa across southern and central Europe.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Same family (Noctuidae)
Ipsilon Dart MothAgrotis ipsilonDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Armyworm MothSpodoptera frugiperdaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Army Cutworm MothEuxoa auxiliarisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronubaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Silver ΥAutographa gamma
American DaggerAcronicta americanaCan irritate skinSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_underwing
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.