Description: Wingspan 40-55mm. Forewings pale straw to dark brown; Stigmata well-defined with a small dark-coloured dart pointing towards the outer margin; there are also two smaller darts located near the outer margin that face inwards. Hindwings white with brown veining. April to November.

World Distribution: Its range throughout Europe is not fully known, but it has been recorded as far north as Norway and Iceland.

Irish Distribution: Recorded from all counties and Rathlin Island, Antrim; most recent records from Armagh and Down.

Ecology: An immigrant that appears fairly frequently in most years and is probably an established short-term resident. Adults are usually seen in the autumn months at light. The larvae are polyphagous and are seldom seen since they feed at night.

Key Identification Features:

• Small dark-coloured dart pointing towards the outer margin
• Season
• Translucent hindwings with brown veining

Distribution Map from NBN: Agrotis ipsilon at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Agrotis ipsilon at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.