Turnip Moth

This is a very variable species with the fore-wings ranging from pale buff through to almost black. The paler forms have three dark-bordered stigmata on each fore-wing. Antennae of male bipectinated (comb like on both sides) with moderate length branches. The main feature distinguishing it from other Agrotis species is the shade of the hind-wings, pure white in the males and pearly grey in the females. The wingspan is 32–42 mm. Edward Meyrick, an English schoolteacher who is especially notable for his study of the microlepidoptera, had this to say about the species:

Wingspan 33–41 mm. Antennae in male bipectinated. Fore-wings brownish, sometimes reddish tinged, with darker fuscous strigulae mixed with black scales, sometimes wholly darker suffused; sub-basal, first, and second lines edged with dark fuscous, second sometimes with dots only; spots outlined with black, orbicular and reniform centred with fuscous; subterminal line faint or whitish sprinkled, followed by darker suffusion. Hind-wings white, termen brownish. Larva pale grey or greyish ochreous, sometimes pinkish tinged; dorsal, subdorsal, and spiracular lines usually indicated by dark edges, subdorsal sometimes grey head pale, with two brown marks; plate of 2 more or less brown. Agrotis segetum is difficult to certainly distinguish from its congeners. …

In the British Isles, two broods are produced each year, the adults flying in May and June and again in August and September. It is known to migrate some distances. The species is nocturnal and is attracted to light and nectar-rich flowers. The species overwinters as a caterpillar.