Euchalcia variabilis

Euchalcia variabilis
Adult of Euchalcia variabilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Euchalcia
Species: E. variabilis
Binomial name
Euchalcia variabilis
Piller& Mitterpacher, 1783
Synonyms
  • Phytometra variabilis
  • Plusia variabilis
  • Noctua illustris Fabricius, 1787 [1]

The Purple-shaded Gem (Euchalcia variabilis) is a moth of the Noctuidae family.[1]

Description

Illustration from British Entomology
Habitat of E. variabilis, Val Ferret, Valle d’Aosta, abt. 2400 m. a.s.l.

The wingspan is 34–42 mm. [2][3] The upperside of the forewings is varied with rosy in the basal area. Also the transversal lines are bordered with rosy. The central area is dark brown. The dark basal line is slightly curved or almost straight. Larvae are green with a black head, numerous blackish dots, a dark stripe on the back and a yellow lateral line. This species closely resemble Euchalcia bellieri, but it is quite larger.[1] The moth flies from June to August depending on the location. [2][3]

The larvae feed from May to July on Larkspur (Delphinium species), Meadow-Rue (Thalictrum species) and Monkshood (Aconitum species). [2][3]

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in woodlands, glades and mountain forests of Central and Southern Europe through the Southern Ural mountains up to Mongolia. [3][4]

References

External links