Chortodes morrisii explained

Chortodes morrisii, or Morris's wainscot, is a moth of the family Noctuidae.

It is found in western and southern Europe.[1] [2] [3] In Britain it is limited to Devon and Dorset, while the form bondii, previously occurring in Kent, is thought to be extinct.

Technical description and variation

A. morrisii Dale Larger than (Photedes extrema), chalk white, with faint grey dusting towards termen in the males; a curved series of black vein spots represents the outer line; no marginal spots; hindwing dark grey, paler in female; the fringe white; the abdomen is longer and thinner, the pectus and palpi smoother, less woolly, than in extrema.[4] The wingspan is 26–34 mm.[2]

Biology

The moth flies in June and July.

The larvae feed on stems of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea).[5]

Subspecies

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Savela . Markku . 13 May 2020 . Chortodes morrisii (Dale, 1837) . Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms . 12 August 2020.
  2. Web site: Photedes morrisii. Bert . Gustafsson. 12 November 2009. Naturhistoriska riksmuseet. 6 January 2013.
  3. Web site: 2346 Morris's Wainscot (Chortodes morrisii). Mike . Wall. Hantsmoths. 6 January 2013.
  4. [William Warren (entomologist)|Warren, W.]
  5. [Wikisource:The Moths of the British Isles/Chapter 15#301]