Pyrausta despicata, the straw-barred pearl, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It was described by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in his 1763 Entomologia Carniolica.
| Pyrausta despicata | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Crambidae |
| Genus: | Pyrausta |
| Species: | P. despicata
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| Binomial name | |
| Pyrausta despicata | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
editThe wingspan of Pyrausta despicata can reach 14–19 mm.[1][2] The wings are brown or greyish, with quite variable pale brown markings. The forewings are brownish grey or brown, sometimes blackish-sprinkled; first line obscurely pale or obsolete; second in pale greyish-ochreous, often obsolete except on costa, in male whitish-ochreous, dilated on costa; small orbicular and oval discal spot rather darker, in female sometimes separated by a pale spot; sometimes a pale subterminal streak. Hindwings in male grey in female blackish; sometimes a darker discal dot; a curved postmedian fascia and subterminal streak in male obscurely ochreous-whitish, in female whitish-ochreous. The larva is dull brownish-black; dorsal line double, grey; spiracular dull ochreous; spots black, grey circled; head and plate of 2 brown, darker-freckled [3]
The moth flies from May to September depending on the location, in two generations.[1] It is active in the sunshine and at dusk.[4] The larvae feed on Plantago lanceolata and Plantago major.[1]
Distribution
editPyrausta despicata is present in most of Europe.[5]
Habitat
editThis moth prefers chalky and limestone habitats.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d UKMoths
- ^ Norfolk Moths
- ^ 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
- ^ Lepidoptera of Belgium
- ^ Fauna Europaea
External links
edit- Lepiforum.de
Media related to Pyrausta despicata at Wikimedia Commons
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