Mullein moth: Difference between revisions

Mullein moth
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Superfamily:	Noctuoidea
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Cucullia
Species:	C. verbasci
Binomial name
	Cucullia verbasci; (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
	Shargacucullia verbasci (Linnaeus, 1758)

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The mullein moth (Cucullia verbasci) is a noctuid moth with a Palearctic distribution. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

Description

The forewing is broad (for the genus) and brownish ochreous; the costal streak and those preceding and following the lower part of outer line are a deep red brown; the lunules following the line are white and conspicuous; the space below median paler, becoming almost whitish above the outer dark brown streak; the stigmata are marked by dark brown spots; a row of deep brown streaks from apex to vein 6, and another, more faint, from below the apex to the end of cell. The hindwing of the male is whitish, with dark veins and cellspot, becoming diffusely fuscous along the termen; in the female it is darker throughout.^[1]

The larva is creamy with black and yellow spots.

Similar species

Cucullia verbasci is difficult to certainly distinguish from these congeners.^[2]

Shargacucullia scrophulariae (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
Shargacucullia lychnitis (Rambur, 1833)

Range

It is found in western, southern and central Europe and North Africa. However, there are only individual finds from Denmark and southern Estonia in the north. The eastern presence extends to western Afghanistan. It is also found in Israel and Turkey. In the Alps, it lives up to an altitude of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft).

Status

The Mullein moth mainly occupies dry and warm places, such as scrublands, dry grasslands, on rocky slopes, and on steppes, as well as parks and gardens.

The moth's caterpillar completely strips the leaves of the host plant and can be a horticultural pest.^[3] When threatened, the caterpillar freezes and may vomit.

Life cycle

Egg

Eggs are laid singly on the under-surface of leaves of food plants. Initially white, they turn grey before hatching.

Larva

The larva is the most commonly encountered part of the life cycle, clearly visible as it feeds on the leaves of its host plants.^[4] When fully grown it is 44–48 mm (1.7–1.9 in) long.^[5]

Pupa

The pupa is the longest part of the life cycle (up to five years in captivity). It lives underground in a strong cocoon.^[4]

Imago

The imago displays much variation in size: wingspan ranges between 45 and 56 mm (1.8 and 2.2 in). They also show minor variation in colour. The moth flies from late April to June depending on the location.

Host plants

Buddleja – Buddleia, butterfly bush
Himantoglossum hircinum – lizard orchid
Scrophularia – figworts
Verbascum – mulleins^[6]

References

^ 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
^ Martin C. Townsend, Jon Clifton and Brian Goodey (2010). British and Irish Moths: An Illustrated Guide to Selected Difficult Species. (covering the use of genitalia characters and other features) Butterfly Conservation.
^ Alford, David V. (2012). Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers: A Colour Handbook (2nd ed.). Manson Pub Ltd. ISBN 978-1840761627.
^ ^a ^b Waring, Townsend & Lewington 2003.
^ Porter 1997.
^ Robinson, Gaden S.; Ackery, Phillip R.; Kitching, Ian J.; Beccaloni, George W. & Hernández, Luis M. (2010). "Search the database - introduction and help". HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London. doi:10.5519/havt50xw.

Bibliography

Heath, John; A. Maitland, Emmet (1983). "Noctuidae: Cucilliinae to Hypeninae". The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 10: Noctuidae (Cucilliinae to Hypeninae) and Agaristidae. Colchester: Harley Books. pp. 49–52. ISBN 9780902068070.
Waring, Paul; Townsend, Martin; Lewington, Richard (2003). Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland. Hook, UK: British Wildlife Publishing. ISBN 0-9531399-1-3.
Chinery, Michael (1986). Insects of Britain and Western Europe. Collins. ISBN 0-00-219137-7.
Porter, Jim (1997). Caterpillars of the British Isles. Viking Publication. ISBN 9780670875092.

External links

Kimber, Ian. "73.058 BF2221 The Mullein Cucullia verbasci (Linnaeus, 1758)". UKMoths. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
Savela, Markku, ed. (August 20, 2020). "Shargacucullia verbasci (Linnaeus, 1758)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
Fauna Europaea
Royal Horticultural Society advice on Mullein Moth pest control.
English Nature page on Mullein Moth
Lepiforum e. V.

[1] 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

[2] Martin C. Townsend, Jon Clifton and Brian Goodey (2010). British and Irish Moths: An Illustrated Guide to Selected Difficult Species. (covering the use of genitalia characters and other features) Butterfly Conservation.

[3] Alford, David V. (2012). Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers: A Colour Handbook (2nd ed.). Manson Pub Ltd. ISBN 978-1840761627.

[FOOTNOTEWaringTownsendLewington2003-4] Waring, Townsend & Lewington 2003.

[FOOTNOTEPorter1997-5] Porter 1997.

[6] Robinson, Gaden S.; Ackery, Phillip R.; Kitching, Ian J.; Beccaloni, George W. & Hernández, Luis M. (2010). "Search the database - introduction and help". HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London. doi:10.5519/havt50xw.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|Species of moth}}
-{{Taxobox
+{{Speciesbox
 | name = Mullein moth
 | image = Shargacucullia verbasci.jpg
 | image2 =
+| taxon = Cucullia verbasci
-| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
+| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[Lepidoptera in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
-| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
+| synonyms = ''Shargacucullia verbasci'' {{small|(Linnaeus, 1758)}}
-| classis = [[Insect]]a
-| ordo = [[Lepidoptera]]
-| familia = [[Noctuidae]]
-| genus = ''[[Cucullia]]''
-| species = '''''C. verbasci'''''
-| binomial = ''Cucullia verbasci''
-| binomial_authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
-| synonyms = ''Shargacucullia verbasci'' <small>(Linnaeus, 1758)</small>
 }}
-The '''mullein moth''', (''Cucullia verbasci''), is a [[Noctuidae|noctuid]] [[moth]] with a [[Palearctic]] distribution.
+The '''mullein moth''' (''Cucullia verbasci'') is a [[Noctuidae|noctuid]] [[moth]] with a [[Palearctic]] distribution. The species was [[species description|first described]] by [[Carl Linnaeus]] in his landmark 1758 [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|10th edition of ''Systema Naturae'']].
 ==Description==
 {{Entomology glossary hatnote}}
-Forewing broad [for the genus], brownish ochreous; the costal streak and those preceding and following the lower part of outer line deep redbrown; the lunules following the line white and conspicuous; space below median paler, becoming almost whitish above the outer dark brown streak; stigmata marked by dark brown spots; a row of deep brown streaks from apex to vein 6, and another, more faint, from below apex to end of cell; hindwing in male whitish, with dark veins and cellspot, becoming diffusely fuscous along termen; in female darker throughout.<ref>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</ref>
+The [[forewing]] is broad (for the genus) and brownish ochreous; the costal streak and those preceding and following the lower part of outer line are a deep red brown; the lunules following the line are white and conspicuous; the space below median paler, becoming almost whitish above the outer dark brown streak; the [[Spiracle (arthropods)|stigma]]ta are marked by dark brown spots; a row of deep brown streaks from [[Apex (entomology)|apex]] to vein 6, and another, more faint, from below the apex to the end of cell. The hindwing of the male is whitish, with dark veins and cellspot, becoming diffusely fuscous along the [[termen]]; in the female it is darker throughout.<ref>[[Adalbert Seitz|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</ref>
-Larva is creamy with black and yellow spots.
+The larva is creamy with black and yellow spots.
+==Similar species==
+''Cucullia verbasci'' is difficult to certainly distinguish from these congeners.<ref>Martin C. Townsend, Jon Clifton and Brian Goodey (2010). [https://butterfly-conservation.org/uploads/Difficult_species_guide_page_64.pdf ''British and Irish Moths: An Illustrated Guide to Selected Difficult Species'']. (covering the use of genitalia characters and other features) Butterfly Conservation.</ref>
+*''[[Shargacucullia scrophulariae]]'' (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
+*''[[Shargacucullia lychnitis]]'' (Rambur, 1833)
 == Range ==
-It is found in western, southern and central Europe and [[North Africa]]. However, there are only individual finds from Denmark and southern Finland in the north. The eastern presence extends to western [[Afghanistan]]. It ia also found in [[Israel]] and [[Turkey]]. In the [[Alps]], it rises up to a height of 1600 meters.
+It is found in western, southern and central Europe and [[North Africa]]. However, there are only individual finds from Denmark and southern Estonia in the north. The eastern presence extends to western [[Afghanistan]]. It is also found in [[Israel]] and [[Turkey]]. In the [[Alps]], it lives up to an altitude of {{convert|1600|m}}.
-==Status==
+== Status ==
-'''Habitat''' –  mainly dry and warm places, scrub, dry grassland, on rocky slopes, steppe as well as parks and gardens.
+The Mullein moth mainly occupies dry and warm places, such as scrublands, dry grasslands, on rocky slopes, and on [[steppe]]s, as well as parks and gardens.
-'''Habits''' – completely strips the leaves of the host plant and can be a horticultural pest.<ref>David V Alford,2012  Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers: A Colour Handbook, Second Edition 2012 Manson Pub Ltd ISBN  978-1840761627</ref> When threatened, the caterpillar freezes and may vomit.
+The moth's caterpillar completely strips the leaves of the host plant and can be a horticultural pest.<ref>{{cite book |last=Alford |first=David V. |date=2012 |title=Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers: A Colour Handbook |edition=2nd |publisher=Manson Pub Ltd |isbn=978-1840761627}}</ref> When threatened, the caterpillar freezes and may vomit.
-==Life cycle==
+== Life cycle ==
-===Egg===
+=== Egg ===
 Eggs are laid singly on the under-surface of leaves of food plants. Initially white, they turn grey before hatching.
-===Larva===
+=== Larva ===
-[[File:Mullein moth caterpillar (Cucullia verbasci).jpg|thumb|Caterpillar]]
+[[File:Mullein moth caterpillar (Cucullia verbasci).jpg|thumb]]
+[[File:D70 003.jpg|thumb|Mulein moth larvae in [[Carlton, Nottinghamshire]]]]
-The larva is the most commonly encountered part of the life cycle, clearly visible as it feeds on the leaves of its host plants. (Waring ''et al.'', 2003) When fully grown it is 44–48&nbsp;mm long. (Porter, 1997)
+The [[larva]] is the most commonly encountered part of the life cycle, clearly visible as it feeds on the leaves of its host plants.{{sfn|Waring|Townsend|Lewington|2003}} When fully grown it is {{cvt|44–48|mm}} long.{{sfn|Porter|1997}}
 ===Pupa===
-The pupa is the longest part of the life cycle (up to 5 years in captivity). It lives underground in a strong [[Pupa#Cocoon|cocoon]]. (Waring ''et al.'', 2003)
+The [[pupa]] is the longest part of the life cycle (up to five years in captivity). It lives underground in a strong [[Pupa#Cocoon|cocoon]].{{sfn|Waring|Townsend|Lewington|2003}}
 ===Imago===
-The species displays much variation in size: [[wingspan]] ranges between 45&nbsp;mm and 56&nbsp;mm. They also show minor variation in colour. The moth flies from late April to June depending on the location.
+The [[imago]] displays much variation in size: [[wingspan]] ranges between {{cvt|45 and 56|mm}}. They also show minor variation in colour. The moth flies from late April to June depending on the location.
 ==Host plants==
@@ Line 47: / Line 49: @@
 *''[[Himantoglossum hircinum]]'' – lizard orchid
 *''[[Scrophularia]]'' – figworts
+*''[[Verbascum]]'' – mulleins<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Robinson |first1=Gaden S. |last2=Ackery |first2=Phillip R. |last3=Kitching |first3=Ian J. |last4=Beccaloni |first4=George W. |last5=Hernández |first5=Luis M. |name-list-style=amp |date=2010 |url=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/hostplants |title=Search the database - introduction and help |website=HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants |publisher=[[Natural History Museum, London]]|doi=10.5519/havt50xw }}</ref>
-*''[[Verbascum]]'' – mulleins
-See Robinson, G. S. et al.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/research/projects/hostplants/  |title= 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.}}</ref>
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+{{Reflist}}
-* Bretherton, R.F., B. Goater and R.I. Lorimer (1983) Noctuidae: Cucilliinae to Hypeninae. Pages 49–52 in John Heath, A. Maitland Emmet ''et al.'' (Ed.) ''The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 10: Noctuidae (Cucilliinae to Hypeninae) and Agaristidae.'' Harley Books, Colchester, UK.
+==Bibliography==
-* Waring, Paul, Martin Townsend and Richard Lewington (2003) ''Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland''. British Wildlife Publishing, Hook, UK. ISBN 0-9531399-1-3
+* {{cite book |last1=Heath |first1=John |last2=A. Maitland |first2=Emmet |date=1983 |title=The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 10: Noctuidae (Cucilliinae to Hypeninae) and Agaristidae |chapter=Noctuidae: Cucilliinae to Hypeninae |publisher=Harley Books |location=Colchester |isbn=9780902068070 |pages=49–52}}
-*Chinery, Michael ''Insects of Britain and Western Europe''. Collins. ISBN 0-00-219137-7
+* {{cite book |last1=Waring |first1=Paul |last2=Townsend |first2=Martin |last3=Lewington |first3=Richard |date=2003 |title=Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland |publisher=British Wildlife Publishing |location=Hook, UK |isbn=0-9531399-1-3}}
+*{{cite book |last=Chinery |first=Michael |title=Insects of Britain and Western Europe |date=1986 |publisher=Collins |isbn=0-00-219137-7}}
+*{{cite book |last=Porter |first=Jim |year=1997 |title=Caterpillars of the British Isles |publisher=Viking Publication |isbn=9780670875092}}
 ==External links==
-{{commons category|Cucullia verbasci}}
+{{Commons category|Cucullia verbasci}}
+*{{cite web |last=Kimber |first=Ian |url=https://ukmoths.org.uk/species/cucullia-verbasci/ |title=73.058 BF2221 The Mullein ''Cucullia verbasci'' (Linnaeus, 1758) |website=UKMoths |access-date=9 February 2021}}
-*[http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=3529 Mullein on UKMoths]
-* [http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/noctuoidea/noctuidae/cuculliinae/cucullia/index.html Funet] Taxonomy
+*{{cite web |editor-last=Savela |editor-first=Markku |date=August 20, 2020 |url=https://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/noctuoidea/noctuidae/cuculliinae/shargacucullia/#verbasci |title=''Shargacucullia verbasci'' (Linnaeus, 1758) |website=Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms |access-date=February 9, 2021}}
-*[http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=449363 Fauna Europaea]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071918/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=449363 ''Fauna Europaea'']
-*[http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0904/mullein_moth.asp Royal Horticultural Society advice on Mullein Moth pest control.]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040924094757/http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0904/mullein_moth.asp Royal Horticultural Society advice on Mullein Moth pest control.]
 *[http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/search.php?name=(search+text)&pl=5&adv=1&ot=&r=0&g=0&p=1&o=285 English Nature page on Mullein Moth]
-*[http://www.lepiforum.de/cgi-bin/lepiwiki.pl?Cucullia_Verbasci Lepiforum.de]
+*[http://www.lepiforum.de/cgi-bin/lepiwiki.pl?Cucullia_Verbasci ''Lepiforum e. V.'']
-{{taxonbar}}
+{{Taxonbar|from=Q1574132}}
 [[Category:Cucullia]]
@@ Line 73: / Line 78: @@
 [[Category:Moths of Europe]]
 [[Category:Moths of the Middle East]]
-[[Category:Moths of Turkey]]
 [[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
+[[Category:Palearctic Lepidoptera]]