Svensson's Copper Underwing (Amphipyra berbera) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe.

This species has a wingspan of 47-56 mm, the female usually larger than the male. The forewings are brown, marked with pale fascia and a dark-centred pale stigma. The hindwings are bright copper-coloured. This species is very similar to the Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidea) but can usually be distinguished by the pattern on the underside of the hindwings: A. pyramidea has a pale central area, contrasting strongly with darker margins; A berbera is much more uniformly coloured. A. berbera flies at night from July to September ^[1] and is attracted to light and strongly to sugar.

The larva feeds on a range 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

• Acer - Sycamore Maple
• Carpinus - Hornbeam
• Populus - Aspen
• Quercus - Oak
• Rhododendron
• Salix - Willow
• Sorbus - Rowan
• Syringa - Lilac
• Tilia - Lime

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