73.039 BF2279  -  Noctuidae -  Acronictinae - Acronicta aceris - The Sycamore Adult Macro:  CAT 1 - Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others -       PDF Icon - click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

Blue -  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>  Noctuidae ID Difficulty:  green  - easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: A large and long-winged grey moth. Ground colour an attractive pale silver-grey dusted and marbled with darker grey. An S-curved band of pale blocks of grey across outer wind edge is obvious. The oval is pale and isolated. There is a long and branch-like basal streak and a wavy cross-line inwards from outer edge bordered with black chevrons. Sometimes the markings can be brownish in tonal colour, rather than dark greyish.
Distribution:  A resident that has gradually expanded its range throughout the county since 1990’s. Up to 1986 there had only been one record in Derbyshire. It seems to be well established in the south of the county but not recorded in any large numbers.
Flight Period: May /  June /  July /  August /  -  On the wing May – August. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   - and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes -  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
Wingspan: 35-45mm
Forewing: 18-22mm
Food Plant: Horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Field Maple (A. campestre).
Recorded dates for Common [Blue codeBlue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

IMAGES BELOW:  Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison © 

css.php
Scroll to Top