Photedes captiuncula explained

Photedes captiuncula, the least minor, is a moth of the family Noctuidae.It is found throughout Europe, in Turkey, Armenia, Russia and much of temperate Asia (western Siberia, Altai Mountains, Central Asia and Amur).[1] [2]

Technical description and variation

The wingspan is 15–18 mm.[2] [3] Forewing whitish ochreous, the base and costal area fulvous, olive-tinged; the median and terminal areas either simply deeper fulvous or darkened with blackish scales; the lines white, thicker in female than male, sometimes diffusely expanded on inner margin; orbicular and reniform sometimes orange-tawny, or grey brown and obscure, generally with pale rings; hindwing dark fuscous; in expolita Dbld.the usual North British form, the forewing is uniform greyish brown; this is also recorded from Armenia; — in tincta Kane, from Ireland, (which Staudinger wrongly sinks to captiuncula), the basal area is grey, the median deep pink, and the terminal pale glossy pink.[4]

Biology

The moth flies in June and July.

Larva (of expolita) ochreous tinged with reddish, more purplish on the dorsum of middle segments; head reddish brown; thoracic plate paler. The larvae feed internally (in the stem and roots) on glaucous sedge, Carex glauca and other sedges.[3] [5] [6]

References

  1. Web site: Photedes captiuncula. funet.fi. Markku Savela. 6 January 2013.
  2. Web site: Photedes captiuncula. Bert Gustafsson. 10 November 2009. Naturhistoriska riksmuseet. 6 January 2013.
  3. Web site: 2344 Least Minor Photedes captiuncula. Ian Kimber. UKMoths. 6 January 2013.
  4. Seitz, A. Ed., 1914 Die Großschmetterlinge der Erde, Verlag Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart Band 3: Abt. 1, Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen eulenartigen Nachtfalter, 1914
  5. [Wikisource:The Moths of the British Isles/Chapter 15#277]
  6. Web site: 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.. 2023. 10.5519/havt50xw. Robinson. Gaden S.. Ackery. Phillip R.. Kitching. Ian. Beccaloni. George W.. Hernández. Luis M.. Natural History Museum.

External links