Red-belted Polymixis
Common NameRed-belted Polymixis
Scientific NamePolymixis rufocincta
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyXyleninae
Wingspan (mm)38
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, orange
HabitatRocky areas, dry grasslands, open woodlands, calcareous soils
Geographic RangeSouthern and Central Europe, North Africa, parts of Asia Minor
Host PlantsThymus, Sedum, Saxifraga, Silene, Campanula, Galium
Flight PeriodSeptember to November
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThis moth is univoltine, producing one generation per year. Eggs are laid in autumn, larvae hatch in spring and feed through summer, pupating in the soil before adults emerge in late autumn.
Identification TipsKey identification features include its late flight period (autumn), the mottled grey-brown forewings with characteristic reddish-orange markings, and its preference for rocky or dry grassland habitats. The specific shape and coloration of the reniform and orbicular stigmata can also be diagnostic.
Description
A medium-sized moth with a cryptic pattern of mottled grey and brown forewings, accented with distinctive reddish-orange markings, particularly a prominent 'belt' or band across the wings. Its body is stout and hairy, typical of owlet moths.
