Hecatera weissi
Common NameHecatera weissi
Scientific NameHecatera weissi
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyHadeninae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, black, white
HabitatVarious habitats including coastal areas, scrubland, and cultivated areas where host plants are present.
Geographic RangeCanary Islands (La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote)
Host PlantsSonchus spp. (sow-thistle), Lactuca spp. (lettuce)
Flight PeriodAlmost year-round, with peaks in spring and autumn
Flight Stylefluttering
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae feed on herbaceous plants, particularly sow-thistles and lettuces, before pupating in the soil or leaf litter.
Identification TipsIdentified by its distinctive mottled grey and black forewing pattern, including a prominent dark reniform stigma, within its endemic range in the Canary Islands. The overall appearance is typical of a 'lichen moth' due to its camouflage.
Description
This moth exhibits a highly cryptic forewing pattern of mottled grey, black, and white scales, providing excellent camouflage. Its robust body is similarly patterned, blending seamlessly with its environment.
