Page 599 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Noctuidae
DISTRIBUTION From eastern Spain, western France, the British Isles, and
southern Scandinavia, east to western Turkey and western Russia
HABITAT Wide variety, including woodlands, moorlands, marshes,
hedgerows, rough ground, and gardens
HOST PLANTS Many herbaceous plants, including Common Sorrel (Rumex
acetosa), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), and grasses
(Poaceae); also broadleaved trees, including willow (Salix spp.)
and hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
NOTE Caterpillar that lies dormant in its cocoon before pupating
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but widespread

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1 ⁄ in (30–40 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH

1⅜–1 ⁄ in (35–40 mm)

AGROCHOLA LITURA
BROWN-SPOT PINION 597
(LINNAEUS, 1761)

Brown-spot Pinion caterpillars hatch from brownish eggs.
These are laid in small batches, probably on dead vegetation,
twigs, or bark, and they overwinter before the larvae hatch.
At rst the caterpillar consumes the foliage of herbaceous plants

and grasses and, when larger, may ascend to feed on bushes and
trees. A single, annual generation develops from April to June.
When fully fed, the caterpillar forms a cocoon in the ground,
in which it lies dormant for several weeks before pupating.

The moths y from late August to November.

The Brown-spot Pinion caterpillar feeds mainly at night when
larger and so is not often seen. It closely resembles the equally
widespread Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis), with similar
color variation. In its brown form, the Brown-spot Pinion can
be distinguished from the Beaded Chestnut by the blackish
spot above and behind each spiracle (absent in the green form).
The similar, brown-colored Flounced Chestnut (A. helvola)
caterpillar has a bolder white stripe along the sides.

The Brown-spot Pinion caterpillar is smooth
and light green, yellowish green, brown, or brick
red in color, peppered with a subtle pattern of
ne white (in the light green form) or brownish Actual size
mottling. There are three ne, pale lines along
the back and a scattering of round white dots.
A fairly broad, white, yellow, or white-and-yellow
stripe extends along the sides, narrowly edged
above with dark brown or green.