Dysgonia torrida

MOTH INFO

Dysgonia torrida is a moth of the family Erebidae on the island of Crete, Greece.

Scientific name

Dysgonia torrida (Guenée, 1852)

Ophiusa torrida (Guenée, 1852)

Common name

Superfamily: Noctuoidea > Family: Erebidae > Subfamily: Catocalinae > Tribus: Ophiusini > Genus: Dysgonia

Wingspan

42-50 mm

Appearance

The forewings are relatively broad with an acute apex and an almost straight edge. They are dark brown colored with rounded termen. The ground color is uniformly dark brown, with a light grey-brown median band broadened by slow degrees towards the dorsum and costa, and distinctly separated from a second brown region that elongates to the postmedian line. The subterminal area is light grey-brown and there are two dark brown tooth-like markings in apex.

The hindwings are brownish, and narrow, with a pale-light grey-brown transverse median band, and a broad light grey-brown subterminal area.

Fringes in both wings are whitish-ochreous with a fine, brownish median section.

Habitat

Dysgonia torrida can be found in shrubs and woodlands.

Food plant

Poaceae (Zea mays), Euphorbiaceae (Ricinus communis)

Flight Period

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Links

Lepiforum e. V.

Lepidoptera Mundi

Plant Parasites of Europe

Notes

The species is very similar to Dysgonia algira, and can be distinguished by the characteristic detail shown in the photo on the right. In general, identification based on this external characteristic is doubtful.