Appearance
For a key to the terms used, see :Glossary of entomology terms.The wingspan is 32–40 mm. Forewing yellowish ochreous, often with a rufous tinge; veins pale, defined by grey-brown streaks, and with similar streaks in the intervals; dark spots on veins 2 and 5 beyond middle; hindwing white, grey at centre, the veins dark; — ab. ''ectypa'' Hbn. Is the form in which the red tints are strongest; in ''arcuata'' Stph. the hindwing shows a complete row of dark dots on the veins.
Naming
''Mythimna impura'' is difficult to certainly distinguish from its congeners. See Townsend et al.⤷ ''Mythimna straminea''
⤷ ''Mythimna impura''
⤷ ''Mythimna favicolor''
Behavior
One or two broods are produced each year with adults on the wing at any time from June to October. The moth flies at night and is attracted to light, sugar and various flowers.The larva is yellowish or reddish with grey irroration ; dorsal line white, with dark edges; spiracles black, lying in a yellowish white lateral stripe, which is edged with blackish. It feeds on various grasses including ''Deschampsia'', ''Festuca'', ''Leymus'', ''Lolium'' and ''Phalaris''. The species overwinters as a small larva.
# ^ ''The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.''
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