Lunar-spotted Pinion
Common NameLunar-spotted Pinion
Scientific NameCosmia pyralina
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyXyleninae
Wingspan (mm)32
Primary Colorsbrown, reddish-brown
HabitatWoodlands, gardens, hedgerows, parks
Geographic RangeEurope, parts of Asia
Host Plantselm, oak, sallow, hawthorn, blackthorn
Flight PeriodJuly to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are green with a pale stripe, feeding on the leaves of various deciduous trees. They pupate in a cocoon in the soil or leaf litter.
Identification TipsKey features include the overall reddish-brown cryptic pattern, the darker wavy cross-lines, and the characteristic pale, often crescent-shaped reniform stigma (the 'lunar spot') and the pale patch at the tornus of the forewing.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled reddish-brown to dark brown forewings, featuring darker transverse bands and a distinctive pale, often crescent-shaped mark (the 'lunar spot') near the center and a prominent pale patch at the tornus.
