The Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidea) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed across the Palaearctic region.

This species has a wingspan of 47-54 mm, the female usually slightly larger than the male. The forewings are brown marked with paler fascia and a pale, dark-centred stigma. The hindwings are a rich bright copper colour. It is very similar to Svensson's Copper Underwing (Amphipyra berbera) but identification is usually fairly straightforward by looking at the underside of the hindwings: This species has a pale area in the centre, contrasting with much darker marginal areas while in A. berbera the whole underwing is more or less uniform in colour. A pyramidea flies at night from August to October ^[1] and is attracted to light and strongly to sugar.

The larva is green with white markings and a pointed hump at the rear end. It feeds on a variety of trees and shrubs (see list below). The species overwinters as an egg.

1. ↑  The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

Recorded food plants

• Fraxinus - Ash
• Ligustrum - Privet
• Lonicera - Honeysuckle
• Malus - Apple
• Quercus - Oak
• Rhododendron
• Rosa - Rose
• Sorbus - Wild Service Tree
• Syringa - Lilac

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