Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1286680

European Yellow Underwing
Noctua pronuba

Observation date: March 12, 2021
Submitted by: SethCipher
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I found multiple caterpillars of this species on the sidewalks. The snow hasn't even completely melted yet and it's in the 40s - low 50s recently, so they were lethargic and many of them were dead but I scooped up as many as I could to try to warm them up again and some of the live ones started moving again once they were warm. I'm currently trying to identify them so I can figure out what to feed them until it's a little bit warmer outside.
Status: Resident
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: March 12, 2021
Coordinator notes: Also known as the Winter Cutworm. Best not to feed them - they're an agricultural pest. See https://extension.unh.edu/blog/winter-cutworm#:~:text=Finding%20a%20caterpillar%20in%20the,during%20thaws%20throughout%20the%20winter. JR
Checklist region(s): United States, Vermont, Lamoille County