Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Arctiidae Scientific name Thumatha senex | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Thumatha Rank Species | |
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Similar Nudaria mundana, Cybosia mesomella, Pelosia obtusa, Pelosia muscerda, Setina irrorella | ||
Thumatha senex, the round-winged muslin, is a moth of the Arctiidae family. It is found in northern and central Europe, the Alps, northern Asia Minor, the Crimea and south-western Siberia.
Contents
Technical description and variation
The wingspan is 15–20 mm. Not unlike Nudaria mundana ( mundana has less-rounded forewings and a more transparent appearance, less obvious spots). The central spot at the apex of the cell distinct; a larger shadowy spot at the middle of the costa, and before the marginal area of the forewing a row of spots which are especially distinct in the costal region. Another curved row of spots bounds the basal third of the forewing. The wings are sparsely scaled, giving them a thin, papery appearance.
Biology
Adults are on wing from mid-June to mid-August in one generation.
Egg round, yellow. Larva ashy grey, very hairy, with black head. The larvae feed on lichen (especially Peltigera canina) and mosses.Pupa stumpy, dark brown, in a dense hairy cocoon.
The moths fly on damp meadows, and are not rare in their flight-places; they come to the light at night.