The shark (''Cucullia umbratica'') is a
moth of the family
Noctuidae
The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of the clades are constantly changing, along with the other f ...
. The species was
first described by
Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758
10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''.
Distribution
This species is widespread throughout much of the
Palearctic realm (Europe,
Russia,
Afghanistan,
Turkestan, and
Mongolia), but has recently also been reported from North America, from the
Magdalen Islands in Canada.
Habitat
These moths inhabit a range of open environments such as heaths, meadows, forest edges, gardens, parks and suburban areas.
Technical description
''Cucullia umbratica'' is a fairly large species, with a
wingspan of . These moths have long, narrow wings giving a streamlined appearance. The forewings are dull brownish grey, the cell and space beyond are paler, with dull greyish buff. A fine black line runs from the base below cell. The usual lines and stigmata are ill defined. Orbicular is represented by two or three dark points, reniform by a curved black line at lower end. Slight black dashes are present before termen, above vein 3 and below vein 2, and a longer black streak appears above middle of vein 4. The hindwings of male are white, with the veins and termen narrowly fuscous, while in the female thy are wholly brown, with paler base. The
larva is grey or brown with black spots.
This species is quite similar to the chamomile shark (''
Cucullia chamomillae
''Cucullia chamomillae'', the chamomile shark, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775. It is found in Central Europe, Southern Europe, the Near East and North Africa.
...
''), but it shows two bands, one pale and one grey, on the fringe of the hindwing, whereas in the last there are three bands.
[
]
Biology
Adults fly in the dusk and in the evening from mid-May to mid-August and feed on nectar of a variety of flowers. They are attracted to light. Larvae feed mainly on sow thistles[ and ]lettuces
Lettuce (''Lactuca sativa'') is an annual plant of the family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, ...
and others. The main recorded food plants are lady's bedstraw ('' Galium''), hawkweed ('' Hieracium''), catsear (''Hypochaeris
''Hypochaeris'' is a genus of plants in the family Asteraceae. Many species are known as cat's ear. These are annual and perennial herbs generally bearing flower heads with yellow ray florets. These plants may resemble or be confused with dande ...
''), lettuce ('' Lactuca''), hawkbit ('' Leontodon''), campion ('' Silene''), sow thistle (''Sonchus
''Sonchus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the tribe Cichorieae within the family Asteraceae and are commonly known as sow thistles (less commonly hare thistles or hare lettuces). Sowthistles are annual, biennial or perennial herbs, with or ...
'') and dandelion ('' Taraxacum'').
Gallery
File:Cucullia umbratica 02.JPG, Caterpillar
File:Noctuidae - Cucullia umbratica.JPG, Imago
File:Shark. Curcullia umbratica. Head detail - Flickr - gailhampshire.jpg, Head detail
File:Cucullia umbratica female (bottom) male (top).JPG, Mounted specimen - male (top) and female
References
*
*
External links
*Paolo Mazzei, Daniel Morel, Raniero Panfil
''Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa''''Lepiforum e. V.''
Cucullia
Moths described in 1758
Moths of Asia
Moths of Europe
Moths of North America
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
{{Cuculliinae-stub