Lunar Yellow Underwing Noctua orbona
The Lunar Yellow Underwing (Noctua orbona) is a scarce noctuid moth of dry, open habitats such as heathland, sandy grassland, and coastal dunes, its larvae feeding on low-growing plants and grasses on light, well-drained soils. Once more widespread, it has declined considerably across Britain and is now largely confined to the south and east of England. Suffolk’s Sandlings heathlands and coastal sandy habitats provide suitable conditions, and the county holds records from a number of heathland and coastal grassland sites. It flies in July and August and comes to light, with moth trapping at suitable heathland sites the most reliable means of detection. Image: © Valentinus T, iNaturalist.
Find out more: iNaturalist, UK Moths, Suffolk Moths
Suffolk’s Priority Moth Species
Key
Listed as a conservation priority in Suffolk’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
Closely associated with Suffolk’s landscape and natural identity.
Identified as a key priority for recovery under Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Has a Species of the Month article attached.
