About Noctua janthe Borkhausen, 1792
Noctua janthe (common name: lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing) is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, formally described by Borkhausen in 1792. Some taxonomic authors treat Noctua janthe and Noctua janthina as a single species. This moth is distributed across Europe and North Africa. Its wingspan measures 30 to 40 mm, and the forewings are 16 to 20 mm in length. The ground color of the forewings ranges from bright ochre to gray to brown, and often carries a reddish or light purple tint. The orbicular and reniform wing markings are not clearly defined. The hindwing is orange-yellow, with a broad black band along its outer distal edge. This species can only be distinguished from Noctua janthina through examination of its genitalia. For additional details, see the work of Townsend et al. The moth produces one generation per year, with adults active from late June to September. The larvae of Noctua janthe feed on a wide variety of deciduous trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
