Gothic (moth)

The Gothic
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Naenia
Species:	N. typica
Binomial name
Naenia typica (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Gothic (Naenia typica) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed in temperate Eurasia.

This species has a wingspan of 36–46 mm. The forewings are broader than most other noctuids, blackish with a network of fine white lines (supposedly reminiscent of some elements of gothic architecture). The hindwings are grey. The species flies at night in June and July. It sometimes comes to light but is not generally strongly attracted. By contrast it is strongly attracted to sugar and flowers.

The larva, which is gregarious when young, is greyish-brown with dark lines along the side and blackish markings at the hind end. It is polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of plants (see Host-plants below). This species overwinters as a larva.

1. ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

Host-plants

• Arctium—Burdock
• Artemisia—Mugwort/Wormwood
• Brassica
• Buddleja—Buddleia or "butterfly bush"
• Calendula—Marigold
• Chrysanthemum
• Crataegus—Hawthorn
• Cyclamen
• Dendranthema
• Elaeagnus—Silverberry
• Epilobium—Rosebay Willowherb
• Forsythia
• Humulus—Hop
• Lactuca—Lettuce
• Lepisanthes
• Malus—Apple
• Parthenocissus
• Plantago—Plantain
• Prunus
• Pyrus—Pear
• Rhododendron
• Salix—Willow
• Spinacia—Spinach
• Taraxacum—Dandelion
• Tussilago—Coltsfoot
• Urtica—Nettle

References

• Chinery, Michael. Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe. London: Collins, 1986 (reprinted 1991). ISBN 0002191377, ISBN 0002191709.
• Skinner, Bernard. Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles: (Macrolepidoptera). Harmondsworth: Viking, 1984. ISBN 0670803545.

External links

• Media related to Naenia typica at Wikimedia Commons
• Caterpillar Hostplants Database