| Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidea (Linnaeus, 1758)) |
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Scientific name: Amphipyra pyramidea (Linnaeus, 1758) Common name: Copper Underwing French name: Pyramide, Noctuelle du noyer, Noctuelle cuivrée. Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Heterocera Family: Noctuidae Subfamily: Amphipyrinae Wingspan: 40-52 mm. Biotope: Forests, parks and gardens. Geographic area: Europe and Asia. Flight time: July to October. Number of generations : 1 Caterpillar: Green with many white dots and with a stigmata lateral line interrupted on segments 3 to 5. There is a conical-shaped protruding part on segments 8 to 10 with a yellowish green point. This triangular point is rather reddish on the Svensson's Copper Underwing (Amphipyra berbera). Furthermore, the dots located on each side of the dorsal line turn to yellow on the first two segments of Amphipyra pyramidea, while they remain white on Amphipyra berbera. Host plant: Many trees and shrubs, including Walnut Tree (Juglans) and Oak (Quercus). |
The Copper Underwing has brown and shiny fore wings. The colour is paler on the inner side. There is a wavy antemedial line, a black orbicular mark circled with whitish and a toothed postmedian line often more visible than the antemedial line. The subterminal line is reduced to a series of pale dots. The hind wings are a copper colour, paler in the centre and darker near the edges. The similar species, the Svensson's Copper Underwing (Amphipyra berbera), was only differentiated from Amphipyra pyramidea in the XXth century. The hind wings of the Svensson's Copper Underwing are a more uniform colour. When you have only got an upper side view of the fore wings you need to look at the angle between the antemedial line and the costal edge of the wing. Amphipyra pyramidea shows a sharp angle (comma shape) while Amphipyra berbera shows an almost right angle. Amphipyra berbera has also a darker inner side on the fore wings and a better marked orbicular patch. These Noctuidae moths over winter as eggs. |
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The antemedial line reaching the costal edge with a sharp angle confirms the Copper Underwing species. |
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As this Copper Underwing was landed on a window, I have been able to shoot an underside view. |
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I have observed this nice small caterpillar on a Japanese Wisteria with flowers. I have first listed it as Amphipyra berbera but the yellow point on the rear hump rather indicates Amphipyra pyramidea. |
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This caterpillar at its last development stage was found on the Privet hedgerow. I still have a doubt about this identification as I am rather used to observing the Svensson's Copper Underwing at the imago state in my garden. |
André Bon April 2017