Gothic (moth)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Gothic
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Noctuidae Genus: Naenia Species: N. typica
Binomial name
Naenia typica Linnaeus, 1758

The Gothic (Naenia typica) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout most of Europe.

This species has a wingspan of 36–46 mm. The forewings are broader than most other noctuids, blackish with a network of fine white lines (supposedly reminiscent of some elements of gothic architecture). The hindwings are grey. The species flies at night in June and July.^[1] It sometimes comes to light but is not generally strongly attracted. By contrast it is strongly attracted to sugar and flowers.

The larva, which is gregarious when young, is greyish-brown with dark lines along the side and blackish markings at the hind end. It is polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of plants (see list below). This species overwinters as a larva.

1. ^  The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

[edit] Recorded food plants

• Arctium—Burdock
• Artemisia—Mugwort/Wormwood
• Brassica
• Calendula—Marigold
• Chrysanthemum
• Crataegus—Hawthorn
• Cyclamen
• Elaeagnus—Silverberry
• Epilobium—Rosebay Willowherb
• Forsythia
• Humulus—Hop
• Lactuca—Lettuce
• Lepisanthes
• Malus—Apple
• Parthenocissus
• Plantago—Plantain
• Prunus
• Pyrus—Pear
• Rhododendron
• Salix—Willow
• Spinacia—Spinach
• Taraxacum—Dandelion
• Tussilago—Coltsfoot
• Urtica—Nettle

[edit] References

• Chinery, Michael. Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe. London: Collins, 1986 (reprinted 1991). ISBN 0002191377, ISBN 0002191709.
• Skinner, Bernard. Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles: (Macrolepidoptera). Harmondsworth: Viking, 1984. ISBN 0670803545.