Northern Wormwood
Common NameNorthern Wormwood
Scientific NameCucullia lucifuga
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyCuculliinae
Wingspan (mm)43
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, black, white
HabitatOpen woodlands, meadows, steppes, gardens, wasteland
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, temperate Asia, Siberia, Mongolia, China, Korea, Japan
Host PlantsArtemisia campestris, Artemisia absinthium, Tanacetum vulgare, Matricaria chamomilla
Flight PeriodMay to July (one generation), sometimes August-September (partial second generation)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are typically green or brownish with yellow stripes and black spots, feeding on various Asteraceae plants, especially wormwood species, before pupating in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include the long, narrow, bark-like forewings with prominent dark streaks, the shaggy pale grey thorax, and its characteristic resting posture with wings wrapped tightly around the body.
Description
A medium-sized moth with long, narrow, grey-brown forewings cryptically patterned with dark longitudinal streaks, giving it a bark-like appearance. Its thorax is notably shaggy and pale grey, often with a raised crest.
