Mouse Moth
| Mouse Moth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Amphipyra |
| Species: | A. tragopoginis |
| Binomial name | |
| Amphipyra tragopoginis Clerck, 1759 | |
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The Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a widespread species with a Holarctic distribution.
This is a rather drab but distinctive species. The forewings are uniform dark brown with three blackish spots arranged in a triangle. The hindwings are buffish, darker towards the margins. The wingspan is 32–40 mm. The common name derives from the species' habit of scuttling away on foot when disturbed rather than flying. Despite this, it can fly strongly and is attracted to light, sugar and nectar-rich flowers. In the British Isles, the adult is active from July to September.
The larva is green with white lines and feeds on a wide variety of plants. The species overwinters as an egg.
Ecology
Recorded food plants of the Mouse Moth include monkshood, chervil, dogbane, columbine, wormwood, bellflower, eastern redbud, hawthorn, fireweed, fennel, strawberry, bedstraw, geranium, Scots lovage, toadflax, cow-wheat, monkeyflower, tobacco, parsley, plantain, poplar, Prunus, oak, redcurrant, rose, cloudberry, sorrel, willow, salad burnet, nettle, and grape.[1]
Notes
- ↑ Robinson, G. S., et al. 2010. HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London.
References
- Chinery, M. Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe. 1986. Reprinted 1991.
- Skinner, B. Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. 1984
External links
- Swedish Museum of Natural History - picture of lectotype.
- Images: Amphipyra tragopoginis. Lepiforum.
- Funet Taxonomy.
- Fauna Europaea.