Black Cutworm vs clouded drab

Agrotis ipsilon compared with Orthosia incerta

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Black Cutworm	clouded drab
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order same	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family same	Noctuidae	Noctuidae
Genus	Agrotis	Orthosia
Species	Agrotis ipsilon	Orthosia incerta

Evolutionary Relationship

Black Cutworm and clouded drab share a common ancestor at the Family level: Noctuidae.

Conservation Status

Black Cutworm

LC — Least Concern

clouded drab

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Black Cutworm	clouded drab
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black Cutworm

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 6 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Palearctic realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (7 countries), Asia (Taiwan), Europe (5 countries), North America (Canada, United States), and South America (Chile).

clouded drab

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Black Cutworm

The Black Cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) is a species in the genus Agrotis. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 6 distinct biome types spanning the. Widely distributed across Africa (7 countries), Asia (Taiwan), Europe (5 countries), North America (Canada, United Stat...

clouded drab

The clouded drab (Orthosia incerta) is a noctuid moth in the family Noctuidae and one of the characteristic early-spring moths of temperate Europe and western Asia, flying from February to April when most other moth species are inactive. The adult wingspan measures approximately 35–42 mm with variable forewings ranging from pale greyish-buff through warm reddish-brown to dark grey-brown, bearing subtle cross-lines, stigmata, and the clouded, diffuse shading that gives the species its common name. The variability of the clouded drab has historically created confusion with related Orthosia species. Adults emerge early in the year, taking nectar from sallow catkins and other early-spring flowers. Larvae feed on the foliage of deciduous trees and shrubs including oak, hawthorn, birch, and hazel in woodland, scrub, and hedgerow habitats. The clouded drab is one of the more numerous and widespread spring moths in Britain and northern Europe, routinely recorded at light traps and regarded as an indicator of woodland health. The early flight season makes it an important pollinator of early-flowering trees and shrubs in temperate woodland systems.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden