Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Noctuidae Scientific name Mythimna pallens | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Mythimna Rank Species | |
Similar Mythimna impura, Mythimna straminea, Mythimna, Mythimna ferrago, Ochropleura plecta | ||
Leucanie blafarde mythimna pallens papillon nocturne bruitx
Mythimna pallens, the common wainscot, is a moth of the family Noctuidae distributed throughout the Palearctic ecozone from Ireland in the west, through Europe (all of Russia) to Central Asia and Amur to the Kuriles in the east.
Contents
- Leucanie blafarde mythimna pallens papillon nocturne bruitx
- Technical description and variation
- Biology
- References
As with other "wainscots", this species has buffish-yellow forewings with prominent venation. The common wainscot, as the specific name suggests, is very pale, lacking the darker markings shown by most of its relatives. The hindwings are pure white.
Technical description and variation
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.
Biology
One or two broods are produced each year with adults on the wing at any time from June to October.[1] 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.