Description: Wingspan 36-44 mm. Forewings are ochreous grey to light rust. The anterior and postmedian lines are a series of small black dots. Stigmata are inconspicuous except for a small white mark on the reniform stigmata. Hindwings are fuscous with darker veining. Late June to mid-August.

World Distribution: Western Europe from Scandinavia to Portugal.

Irish Distribution: Widely distributed and not uncommon in Down and parts of Armagh. Sporadic elsewhere, with a recent record from Derrylin, Fermanagh and Ahoghill and Rathlin Island, Antrim.

Ecology: A grass feeding species found mainly along edges of woodland and in open clearings. Adults come to light in small numbers and visit flowers and honey-dew. The larvae feed from September to May on various grasses.

Key Identification Features:

• Anterior and postmedian lines are a series of small black dots
• Small white mark on forewing
• Dark hindwing

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

iNaturalist: Mythimna ferrago at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.