This species generally has the appearance of a smaller (
wingspan 38–48 mm) version of the large yellow underwing
Noctua pronuba. The forewings are equally variable in pattern and colour, from pale clay to reddish clay, light brown to almost black. The stigmata are dark and outlined with pale yellow. The crosslines are weak. The wavy line flows on to the front edge as a no more than dark brown (never black) stain, which is sometimes extended down the entire wavy line. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black sub-terminal band and central discal lunule (usually absent in
Noctua pronuba). It is also similar to the lunar yellow underwing
Noctua orbona. In the overall impression a broad-winged species. It flies at night from July to September and is attracted to light and flowers such as
heather,
marram grass, and
ragwort. The
larva is also very similar to that of
Noctua pronuba – green or brown with black dashes along the back. Its feeding habits, however, are very different: this is not a "
cutworm" but feeds on the foliage of a range of plants, trees, and
shrubs as well as
herbaceous plants (see list below). This species overwinters as a larva.
Notes • The flight season refers to the
British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range. ==Recorded food plants==