Pyrausta despicata
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. DescriptionThe 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] DistributionPyrausta despicata is present in most of Europe.[5] HabitatThis moth prefers chalky and limestone habitats.[1] References
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