Bug FAQEurasian Copper Underwing
Amphipyra pyramidea · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Also called: Copper Underwing, Copper Underwings, Humped Green Fruitworm, Pyramidal Green Fruitworm
Source: Wikipedia
The Eurasian copper underwing has a wingspan of about 47 to 54 mm, with females a bit larger than males. Its forewings are brown with lighter bands and a pale, dark-centered spot, while the hindwings shine bright copper. It flies at night from August to October and overwinters as an egg.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan ranges from 47 to 54 mm, females usually a little larger.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It has one generation per year (univoltine).
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Caterpillars feed on many trees and shrubs such as ash, privet, honeysuckle, apple, oak, rhododendron, rose, wild service tree and lilac.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
The species overwinters as an egg and has one brood each year.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are active at night from August through October; eggs hatch from June to October depending on climate.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Found across the Palaearctic, from Europe and North Africa through the Near East to Japan, and common in southern Britain.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It resembles Svensson's copper underwing but can be separated by forewing markings, labial palp details, and the underside of the hindwings.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
What does the copper underwing look like?
The forewings are brown with lighter bands and a pale, dark-centered spot, while the hindwings are bright copper.
Source: Wikipedia
Do they damage my garden?
Their caterpillars feed on a variety of trees and shrubs, which can harm garden plants.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Noctuidae)
Ipsilon Dart MothAgrotis ipsilonDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Armyworm MothSpodoptera frugiperdaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Army Cutworm MothEuxoa auxiliarisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronubaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Silver ΥAutographa gamma
American DaggerAcronicta americanaCan irritate skinSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_underwing
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.