Sideridis turbida explained

Sideridis turbida, the white colon, is a moth of the family Noctuidae, subfamily Hadeninae.It is found throughout continental Europe, the British Isles and southern Scandinavia.[1] [2]

Technical description and variation

The wingspan is 36–44 mm.[2] [3] Forewing drab grey, suffused brown, except along costa and inner margin, and in an oblique pale fascia-form submarginal area;the pale submarginal fascia externally throw's off pale teeth; a long black streak from base below cell: median vein white, with only a small white spot at end of cell and a minute black point above it: veins whitish with black terminal streaks in the intervals:hindwing dark greyish, fuscous. - ab. suffusa Tutt is a melanic brown form common in Britain, occurring, but rarely, in the Alps; — ochracea Tutt is a brownish ochreous form, also rare, apparently, on the continent.[4]

Biology

The moth flies from May to July, with a second brood in August–September in southern parts of its range.

Larva reddish brown, with scattered black clots: dorsal and subdorsal lines black and fine; venter paler;thoracic plate black with 3 white lines; head brown. The larvae feed on various plants growing in sandy places, including dandelion and plantain.[3] [5] [6]

The English vernacular name refers to the only distinctive marking on the moth, a pair of white dots outward of the center of the forewing resembling a colon or joined into a > shape.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sideridis turbida. funet.fi. Markku Savela. 6 January 2013.
  2. Web site: Sideridis albicolon. Bert Gustafsson. 9 February 2011. Naturhistoriska riksmuseet. 6 January 2013.
  3. Web site: 2152 White Colon Sideridis albicolon. 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#240]
  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..