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Silver Y
Autographa gamma
45.7871, 15.9598
Field Notes
Description:
The Silver Y is a medium-sized moth with a wingspan of 30 to 45 mm.It is a migratory moth of the family Noctuidae. The wings are intricately patterned with various shades of brown and grey providing excellent camouflage. In the centre of each forewing there is a silver-coloured mark shaped like a letter Y(γ) or a Greek letter Gamma. There are several different forms with varying colours depending on the climate in which the larvae grow.
Habitat:
The species is widespread across Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa. It is resident in the south of its range and adults fly almost throughout the year. In spring variable numbers migrate north reaching as far as Iceland, Greenland, and Finland with huge invasions taking place in some years. A second wave of migrants arrives in the summer. In central Europe and the British Isles adults are present in significant numbers from May onwards with numbers dwindling in late autumn as they are killed off by frosts. Some individuals fly south again to winter around the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats, particularly open areas. It regularly visits gardens to take nectar from the flowers.
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