The poplar grey (Acronicta megacephala) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found throughout Europe.
Technical description and variation A. megacephala F. (3b). Forewing pale grey, suffused with dark, except in a patch beyond cell hindwing white in male, greyer in female. Larva dark grey, with granulated yellowish dots; segment 11 with a large yellowish-white dorsal patch; the hairs, which rise singly, whitish : head black with pale — In grumi Alph. the forewing is narrower, the space between inner line and median shade conspicuously whitish; this form is found in West China. — ab. ochrea Tutt has the ground colour distinctly ochreous; while in ab. rosea Tutt the forewing is rosy-tinged.
Warren. W. in Seitz, A. Ed., 1914 Die Großschmetterlinge der Erde, Verlag Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart Band 3: Abt. 1, Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen eulenartigen Nachtfalter, 1914Melanic forms sometimes occur. The wingspan is 40–45 mm. Michael Fibiger, László Ronkay, Axel Steiner & Alberto Zilli,, Noctuidae Europaeae Volume 11 Pantheinae, Dilobinae, Acronictinae, Eustrotiinae, Nolinae, Bagisarinae, Acontiinae, Metoponiinae, Heliothinae and Bryophilinae. 504 S., Entomological Press, Sorø 2009 ISBN 978-87-89430-14-0
Biology This moth flies at night from May to August and is attracted to light and sugar.
The hairy larva is grey with black and red markings and a white patch towards the rear. It feeds on poplars and willows and sometimes on grey alder. The species overwinters as a pupa.
The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
References
Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (reprinted 1991) Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984
External links
Poplar Grey (Subacronicta megacephala) on UKmoths Subacronicta megacephala on Fauna Europaea Acronicta megacephala on Lepiforum.de