:''This article is about the Miller moth of Europe. The name "Miller" is also used for similar moths elsewhere, such as the genus ''
Agrotis'' (e.g. ''
Agrotis laysanensis'').
'The Miller' (''Acronicta leporina'') is a
moth of the family
Noctuidae. It is found throughout
Europe apart from the far south-east. It also shows up seasonally in parts of the
western United States, such as
New Mexico,
Colorado, and
Wyoming.
This is a variable but always distinctive species, the forewings ranging from almost white to dark grey (pale grey being the commonest colour form) with characteristic crescent-shaped black markings. The hindwings are white. The
wingspan is 38-43 mm. Adults of this species fly at night from June to August and will come to light and sugar but are not especially strongly attracted.
The
larva is green, covered in long white or yellow hairs. It feeds on a variety of
trees (see list below), often feeding on bark and soft wood. This species overwinters as a
pupa, sometimes spending two winters in this form.
#''The flight season refers to the
British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.''
Recorded food plants
★ ''Acer'' -
Norway Maple
★ ''Alnus'' -
Alder
★ ''Betula'' -
Birch
★ ''Corylus'' -
Common Hazel
★ ''Fagus'' -
Beech
★ ''Populus'' -
Poplar
★ ''Quercus'' -
Oak
★ ''Salix'' -
Willow
★ ''
Sorbus''
References
★ 'Chinery, Michael' ''Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe'' 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
★ 'Skinner, Bernard' ''Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles'' 1984