Xylocampa areola
The Early Grey (Xylocampa areola) is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Europe and Morocco.
Xylocampa areola | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
Family: | Noctuidae |
Genus: | Xylocampa |
Species: | X. areola |
Binomial name | |
Xylocampa areola (Esper, 1789) | |
The wingspan is 32–40 mm. Seitz describes it - Forewing pale grey varied with darker, darkest in median and marginal areas ; veins black-speckled ; a black streak from base on submedian fold, with a whitish patch above it; the two lines black, approximating below median, conversely edged with white; orbicular and reniform stigmata large, 8-shaped, pale grey, with darker centres, the orbicular projecting obliquely below median and connected there with reniform; submarginal line white, serrate, followed by a row of black marginal lunules; fringe deep, grey mottled with paler; hindwing pale grey, the cell spot, veins, and outer line darker: in the form suffusa Tutt the dark median area below the stigmata becomes blackish and forms with the black streak from base a curved black marking. The larva is dull pinkish ochreous, with a paler dorsal line and dark brown blotches on dorsum on segments 7 and 8; the 11th segment is slightly humped.[1]
![](../I/Buckler_W_The_larv%C3%A6_of_the_British_butterflies_and_moths_PlateXCV.jpg.webp)
The moth flies from February to May depending on the location.
The larvae feed on honeysuckle (Lonicera species).[2]
References
- Warren. W. in 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
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- "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".