Lead-coloured Drab (Orthosia populeti)
and Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)

Lead-coloured Drab Orthosia populeti, Elton, 19 Mar 2005

Although there are some subtle differences between the two it is easy to miss the scarcer Lead-coloured Drab among the much larger numbers of Clouded Drabs hurtling into light traps in the early spring.

Size and Shape

For me Lead-coloured Drabs always stand out as a bit on the small side and lacking the rather sharp apex to the wing of Clouded Drab. This difference in shape and size can be seen in the following picture where the Lead-coloured Drab is on the right.

Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta and Lead-coloured Drab O. populeti, Elton, 19 Mar 2005

Antennae

Assuming you have a male there is a very distinctive difference in the antennae of the two species. Although both are bipectinate, those of Lead-coloured Drab have much longer pectinations resulting a feathered look. Those of Clouded Drab are much shallower and result in a more zip-like appearance.

Lead-coloured Drab Orthosia populeti	Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta