Mecyna asinalis

Mecyna asinalis, sometimes known as the madder pearl, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae found in Europe.

Mecyna asinalis
Scientific classification
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M. asinalis
Binomial name
Mecyna asinalis
(Hübner, 1819)
Synonyms
  • Pyralis asinalis Hübner, 1819
  • Mecyna characteralis Freyer, 1848
  • Pyrausta asinalis ab. obsoletalis Schawerda, 1926

Description

The wingspan is 25–29 millimetres (0.98–1.14 in). The forewings are grey; lines darker, first indistinct, sometimes followed by a dark fuscous triangular subdorsal spot, second sometimes blackish -dotted,curved, with a deep abrupt sinuation inwards below middle, often preceded by a brownish or dark fuscous trapezoidal subdorsal spot ; very large orbicular, and reniform discal spot somewhat paler, latter preceded and followed by faint brownish sometimes dark-edged spots. Hind are wings grey ; a darker postmedian line.The larva is yellow-brownish ; dorsal line reddish-brown ; subdorsal broader, brown ; lateral brown ; spots black.[1]

The moth flies from May to October in two generations per year.[2]

The larvae graze the leaves of the foodplant eating the parenchyma and leaving a ″window″ in the upper epidermis. Foodplants include taupata (Coprosma repens), crosswort (Crucianella maritima) and wild madder (Rubia peregrina).[3]

Distribution

It is found in west and southern Europe, including Ireland, Britain, the Iberian Peninsula, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Albania, Croatia, Greece and Sicily, Sardinia, Malta, Madeira, Corsica, the Azores and the Canary Islands.

References

  1. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  2. Kimber, Ian. "Mecyna asinalis (Hübner, [1819])". UKmoths. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  3. Ellis, W N. "Mecyna asinalis (Hübner, 1819) coastal pearl". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 13 November 2020.


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