Horticulture/Agrotis segetum

The Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a common European species, but is also present in other parts of the world as a root-feeding pest of both vegetable and cereal crops. The insect is not believed to be present in the United States, where the government has been making efforts to prevent its introduction on imported food crops.

Description
This is a very variable species with the forewings ranging from pale buff through to almost black. The paler forms have three dark-bordered stigmata on each forewing. The main distinguishing feature from other Agrotis species is the very pale hindwings, pure white in the males, pearly grey in the females. The wingspan is 32–42 mm. The grey larva, sometimes tinged with purple, feeds on the roots and lower stems of a huge range of plants (see list below).

Ecology
Two broods are produced each year, with the adults flying in May and June and again in August and September (in Britain). The species flies at night and is attracted to light and nectar-rich flowers. The species overwinters as a caterpillar.

Host plants

 * ../Acacia/
 * ../Allium/ - Onions, Garlic, Chives, etc.
 * ../Apium/ - Celery
 * ../Arachis/ - Peanut
 * ../Asparagus/
 * ../Beta/ - Beet
 * ../Brassica/
 * ../Camellia/
 * Casuarina
 * ../Cedrus/ - Cedar
 * ../Chrysanthemum/
 * ../Cichorium/ - Chicory, Endive
 * ../Coffea/ - Coffee
 * ../Cucurbita/
 * ../Eucalyptus/
 * ../Fragaria/ - Strawberry
 * ../Glycine/ - Soybean
 * ../Gossypium/ - Cotton plant
 * ../Hagenia/
 * ../Helianthus/ - Sunflower
 * ../Hibiscus/
 * ../Indigofera/
 * ../Lactuca/
 * Lycopersicon - ../Tomato/
 * ../Malus/ - Apple
 * ../Medicago/ - Alfalfa
 * ../Nicotiana/ - Tobacco
 * ../Picea/ - Spruce
 * ../Pinus/ - Pine
 * ../Pisum/ - Pea
 * ../Pseudotsuga/ - Douglas-fir
 * ../Rheum/ - Rhubarb
 * ../Rumex/
 * ../Saccharum/ - Sugar cane
 * ../Secale/ - Rye
 * ../Sesamum/ - Sesame
 * ../Solanum/ - Potato
 * ../Sorghum/
 * ../Spinacia/ - Spinach
 * ../Tectona/ - Teak
 * ../Trifolium/ - Clover
 * ../Triticum/ - Wheat
 * ../Vigna/ - Urad bean
 * ../Vitis/ - Grape
 * ../Zea/ - Maize