European Yellow Underwing

James Kruse, Forest Entomologist; Angie 

Ambourn, Biological Science Technician; 

and Gerard Sprankle, Biological Science 

Technician; USDA Forest Service, Alaska 

Region, State and Private Forestry.

Additional information on this insect can be 

obtained from your local Alaska Cooperative 

Extension office, Alaska State Forestry office, 

or from: 

USDA Forest Service 

State and Private Forestry 

Forest Health Protection 

2770 Sherwood Lane, Suite 2A 

Juneau, Alaska 99801-8545 

Phone: (907) 586-8883 

3301 “C” Street, Suite 202 

Anchorage, Alaska 99503 

Phone: (907) 743-9455 

3700 Airport Way 

Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 

Phone: (907) 451-2701 

www.fs.fed.us/r10/spf/fhp

European Yellow 

Underwing

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Prepared by

Forest Service

Alaska Region

R10-PR-13

September 2007

Cover photo. Adult European yellow underwing, showing the distinguishing yellow hindwing. Photo by Kenelm 

Philip, University of Alaska–Fairbanks.

CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, 

domestic animals, desirable plants and fish, or other 

wildlife—if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. 

Since approved uses of a pesticide may change 

frequently, it is important to check the label for current approved and legal use. Follow recommended 

practices for the disposal of surplus pesticides and 

pesticide containers. Mention of a pesticide in this 

publication does not constitute a recommendation 

for use by the USDA, nor does it imply registration 

of a product under Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, 

and Rodenticide Act, as amended. Mention of a 

proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement by the USDA. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits 

discrimination in all its programs and activities on the 

basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and 

where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, 

parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic 

information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all 

or part of an individual’s income is derived from any 

public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases 

apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who 

require alternative means for communication of program 

information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should 

contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 

(voice and TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, 

Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence 

Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call 

(800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA 

is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Control Measures 

Common control measures for cutworms 

include placing plastic, paper, or metal collars 

around the base of small agricultural or ornamental plants. The collar must be placed about 

halfway into the soil. Larvae can be hand 

picked and destroyed on a daily basis although 

this can be difficult due to their nocturnal 

behavior. There are some biological controls 

such as predators, parasites, and diseases that 

can keep populations of cutworms in check; 

however, it is not known how well this works 

in a small environment such as a garden or 

nursery. Bacillus thuringiensis or BT, a naturally 

occurring bacterium, can be applied to the soil 

in the form of a spray or powder and is effective against caterpillars. Parasitic nematodes 

can also be applied to the soil to control cutworms. There are also some chemical controls 

that can be applied directly to the soil to help 

control the European yellow underwing. Please 

contact your local Cooperative Extension 

office for more information and recommendations for insecticide treatments.

43–50 mm long when fully grown and are a 

pale yellowish green to brown with a double 

row of dark brown dashes along its length. 

They have a diagnostic C-shape. Eggs are laid 

in clusters of several hundred in June through 

August, depending on the latitude, and are 

usually deposited on foliage, sticks, grass, and 

manmade surfaces such as fences and campers. Caterpillars hatch in late July to August 

and feed mostly at night until freeze-up. They 

overwinter as late instar larvae and pupation 

takes place underground in May or June. There 

is one generation per year.

Detection and Damage

European yellow underwing caterpillars are 

considered to be cutworms and feed on foliage and stems. They often snip plants off at the 

soil line or totally consume them. This caterpillar is a generalist feeder and feeds on many 

varieties of agricultural and ornamental plants. 

Caterpillars can be active during thaws in late 

winter and early spring and also are active 

during most planting seasons. Host plants 

include tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage, tobacco, grapes, and other plants in the 

Brassicaceae family. Caterpillars will also feed 

on ornamentals such as Potentilla, dogwoods, 

hawthorns, and they will feed on a variety 

of grasses, low growing forbs, and cultivated 

flowers. It is not entirely known which Alaskan 

plant species will be preferred host plants but 

the European yellow underwing could potentially be a significant garden and ornamental 

tree pest, and a threat to certain native herbaceous plants such as native dandelions.

Introduction

The European yellow underwing, Noctua pronuba L. was first recorded in North America in 

Nova Scotia in 1979. Since then it has rapidly spread throughout the rest of Canada and 

the United States. During the 1980s it was 

reported that this insect was spreading west 

and south about 80 miles per year. In 1996 

it was discovered in Louisiana, which may 

indicate more than one introduction into the 

United States. By 1999 the European yellow 

underwing had reached Colorado; in 2000 

and 2001 it was recorded in California and 

Oregon; in 2002 it was first recorded in British 

Columbia; and in 2005 it was discovered in 

Haines, Alaska. From 1998–2002 the range 

expanded approximately 1,800 miles, an average of about 450 miles per year. The moth 

has since been collected from other localities 

in southeast and south-central Alaska and is 

expected to be in interior Alaska by 2009.

Life History

The European yellow underwing is distinctive 

in size and coloration and not easily confused 

with any other species present in Alaska (see 

cover photo). Adult moths have a wingspan 

of about 40–60 mm. The forewing is variable from pale to dark brown with some dark 

circular markings (reniform spots). The distinguishing feature is the hindwing which is bright 

yellow to orange-yellow with a black border. 

Moths are active from May through September, 

are strong fliers and are very proficient at 

dispersing long distances. Larvae are about