The adults have broad forewings, slightly hooked at the tips, with distinct cross-lines, variable in colour from brown to dullish-grey brown. They get their English name from their long, unturned palps.

The larvae can be found from August to the following May feeding at night and hiding during the day between spun leaves of the foodplant.

Size and Family

  • Family – Snouts (Noctuidae)
  • Small Sized
  • Wingspan – 30-38mm

Conservation status

  • UK BAP: Not listed
  • Common

Caterpillar Food Plants

Common Nettle (Urtica dioica).

Habitat

Woodland, scrub, hedgerows, gardens, riverbanks, wetlands and a wide range of other places where the foodplant occurs.

Distribution

  • Countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
  • Common and well distributed throughout most of Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Not recorded in Shetland or the Outer Hebrides.
Snout - Clive Jones

Snout

Snout - Ilia Ustyantsev

Snout

Snout - Simon Roddis

Snout

Snout - Garry Barlow

Snout

Snout - Samantha Batty

Snout

Snout - Sue Davies

Snout

Snout - Koen Thonissen

Snout

Snout

Snout

Snout - Koen Thonissen

Snout

Snout (caterpillar)

Snout (caterpillar)