Shuttle-shaped Dart - Agrotis puta

Description

Wingspan 30-32 mm. A sexually dimorphic species, the males having brownish variegated forewings and white hindwings, the females have fairly plain dark brown forewings and buffish hindwings.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Gardens, farmland, grassland, heathland and open woodland.

When to see it

There are possibly three generations during the year, with moths on the wing from May to October.

Life History

The larvae feed on a number of low plants.

UK Status

Fairly common in southern England and Wales, its range only extends as far north as the Midlands. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

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

Reference
73.325 BF2092

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Shuttle-shaped Dart
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Records on NatureSpot:
1375
First record:
29/05/1997 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
19/04/2026 (Leese, Eric)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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