Description: Wingspan 46-54 mm. This species shows considerable variation in colour. Forewings range in colour from ochreous brown through to dark blackish brown. The forewings have a small dark basal streak and lighter and finely outlined stigmata. Antemedian and post median lines are light brown and irregular. The subterminal line has double toothed projections and a series of small black dashes. Hindwings are whitish brown with darker veining and a pale ochreous fringe. Mid-June to early September.

World Distribution: Common and widespread throughout western Europe as far north as Fennoscandia.

Irish Distribution: Common and widespread in all counties and on Rathlin Island, Antrim.

Ecology: A large grass-feeding species found commonly in a wide variety of habitats, from woodland to suburban gardens. Adults are commonly encountered at light and are also attracted to flowers, especially Red Valerian Centranthus ruber and Buddleia Buddleja davidii. They usually conceal themselves by day under cover, but some individuals are occasionally seen at rest on fence posts, walls and tree trunks. The larvae feed from August to June on Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata and other grasses. It overwinters as a larva.

Key Identification Features:

• Size
• Large stigmata
• Toothed projections on the subterminal line
• Pale hindwings with dark veining

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

iNaturalist: Apamea monoglypha at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.