''Udea fulvalis'' is a species of

moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is Paraphyly, paraphyletic with respect to butterflies (s ...

of the family

Crambidae Crambidae comprises the grass moth family of lepidopterans. They are variable in appearance, with the nominal subfamily Crambinae (grass moths) taking up closely folded postures on grass stems where they are inconspicuous, while other subfamilies ...

. It was first described by

Jacob Hübner Jacob Hübner (20 June 1761 – 13 September 1826, in Augsburg) was a German entomologist. He was the author of ''Sammlung Europäischer Schmetterlinge'' (1796–1805), a founding work of entomology. Scientific career Hübner was the author of '' ...

in 1809.

Etymology

The species name ''fulvalis'' derives from the Latin ''fulvus'', meaning ''fulvous''.

Distribution

This species can be found in most of Europe. Fauna Europaea

Description

''Udea fulvalis'' has a

wingspan The wingspan (or just span) of a bird or an airplane is the distance from one wingtip to the opposite wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777–200 has a wingspan of , and a wandering albatross (''Diomedea exulans'') caught in 1965 had a wingsp ...

measuring between 24 and 29 mm. UK Moths
/ref> The uppersides of the forewings of these moths show a fulvous brown or yellowish-brown colouration, with darker markings. Larvae are pale green, with a black head. Adults of this species are rather similar to '' Ebulea crocealis'' and ''

Udea prunalis ''Udea prunalis'' is a moth of the family Crambidae. It is found in Europe and China (Gansu, Heilongjiang, Ningxia, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang). The species was first described by Matthew Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775. In the Butterfly ...

''.

Biology

Adults are on wing in one generation a year ( univoltine species) from June to late August, depending on location. They preferably fly at night, when they come to light. Ledpidoptera of Belgium
/ref> The larvae mainly feed on a variety of plants of the family ''

Lamiaceae The Lamiaceae ( ) or Labiatae are a family (biology), family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint, deadnettle, or sage family. Many of the plants are aromatic in all parts and include widely used culinary herbs like basil (herb), ba ...

'' (''

Ballota ''Ballota'' (horehound) is a genus of flowering evergreen perennial plants and subshrubs in the family Lamiaceae. native to temperate regions. The Mediterranean region has the highest diversity in the genus, with more isolated locations in Sout ...

'', ''

Nepeta ''Nepeta'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family (biology), family Lamiaceae. The genus name, from Latin (“catnip”), is reportedly in reference to Nepi, Nepete, an ancient Etruscan cities, Etruscan city.

'' and ''

Salvia pratensis ''Salvia pratensis'', the meadow clary or meadow sage, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native plant, native to Europe, western Asia and northern Africa. The Latin Binomial nomenclature, specific epithet ''pratensis'' ...

'', etc.), but also on

Cornus ''Cornus'' is a genus of about 30–60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods or cornels, which can generally be distinguished by their blossoms, berries, and distinctive bark. Most are deciduous ...

and ''

Lychnis ''Silene'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae. Containing nearly 900 species, it is the largest genus in the family. Common names include campion and catchfly. Many ''Silene'' species are widely distributed, particularl ...

''. They pupate in a cocoon amongst leaves of the host plants.

References

External links

Lepiforum.de

''Udea fulvalis'' at Funet

* Paolo Mazzei, Daniel Morel, Raniero Panfi

fulvalis Moths of Europe Moths of Asia Moths described in 1809 {{Udea-stub