Lychnis (moth)

The lychnis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Hadena
Species: H. bicruris
Binomial name
Hadena bicruris
Hufnagel, 1766

The lychnis (Hadena bicruris) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in northern and western Europe and Turkey. It has an Atlantic-Mediterranean distribution. In the East Palearctic it is replaced by Hadena capsincola.

Description

This species has dark brown forewings marked with two prominent white-bordered stigmata and a white subterminal line. The hindwings are buffish, darkening to brown towards the margin but with a prominent white fringe. The wingspan is 30–40 mm. One or two broods are produced each year and adults can be seen between May and September. Flight is from June to July.[1]

The larva feeds on various Caryophyllaceae such as Dianthus, Lychnis, Saponaria and Silene.[2] The species overwinters as a pupa.

References

  1. Information on Lychnis at Funet
  2. "Robinson, G. S., P. R. Ackery, I. J. Kitching, G. W. Beccaloni & L. M. Hernández, 2010. HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London".

Further reading

  • Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
  • Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984


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