Silver Y

• Latin name: Autographa gamma
• Family group: Silver and Gold Y's, and Brasses (Plusiines)
• Countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
• Size: Medium

Immigrant

Probably the UKs most common immigrant moth. Each forewing has a conspicuous unbroken metallic silver Y-marking. Could be mistaken for the Ni Moth, which is generally smaller with a broken-Y mark or the Scarce Silver Y which is darker in colour. Superficially similar to several other species, but generally distinctive. F. gammina is smaller and can be found in most years.

Can occur throughout the UK and breeds here (although the early stages cannot survive the winter), with numbers fluctuating from year to year. Flies by day and night, with the swift flying adults are frequently observed nectaring at flowers by day and just before dusk. Also readily disturbed from vegetation by day. In some years it can be especially numerous, particularly near the south or east coast

Usually most numerous from late summer into autumn, it can occur in any month with those in the winter generally associated with warmer southerly winds.

Conservation status

• UK Biodiversity Action Plan: Not listed
• UK status: Immigrant

European/world range

Found widely in Europe, parts of Africa and Asia. As an immigrant it reaches Greenland and the Arctic Circle, but is probably not continuously resident north of the Mediterranean.

Caterpillar foodplants

The caterpillar feeds on a wide range of low-growing plants, including bedstraws (Galium sp.), Clovers (Trifolium sp.), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Garden Pea (Pisum sativum) and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea).

Habitat

Can occur almost anywhere, from coastal habitats to inland sites, and can be frequent in gardens. Tends to breed in unshaded situations.