Turnip Moth - Agrotis segetum

Although showing many colour forms, this moth usually shows a neat, pale fringe with a narrow inner dark line on the forewing, and has very white hindwings.

Gardens, farmland, parkland, oak woodland and sand-dunes.

The species is double-brooded, flying in May and June, and again in August and September/October.

The larvae live underground and feed on the roots of root vegetables, herbaceous plants and other cultivated crops. Their destructive habit of biting off the shoots of small seedlings gave rise to the name 'cutworms'.

It is common throughout most of Britain, though scarcer in Scotland.In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)