Hebrew Character
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| Hebrew Character | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Orthosia gothica Linnaeus, 1758 |
The Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found throughout Europe.
The forewings of this species are greyish to rufous brown. Typically these are marked with a black mark shaped like a letter C or L (or indeed the Hebrew letter Nun נ). This is similar to the markings of the Setaceous Hebrew Character although the two species are not closely related. In this species this mark is sometimes split in two or even absent. The hindwings are grey and the wingspan is 30-40 mm. This moth flies at night in March and April (sometimes later) and is attracted to light and various flowers.
The larva is green with a pale stripe down each side and feeds on a wide variety of plants (see list below). This species overwinters as a pupa. A fictional story of how this moth received the Hebrew letter "nun" can be found at http://www.flwildflowers.com/moth.html
[edit] Recorded food plants
- Alnus - Grey Alder
- Betula - Birch
- Centaurea
- Corylus - Common Hazel
- Epilobium - Rosebay Willowherb
- Filipendula - Meadowsweet
- Hieracium - Hawkweed
- Humulus - Hop
- Lythrum - Purple loosestrife
- Malus - Apple
- Polygonatum - Solomon's Seal
- Polygonum
- Populus - Aspen
- Prunus
- Quercus - Oak
- Ranunculus - Buttercup
- Rhamnus - Buckthorn
- Ribes - Currant
- Rubus - Raspberry
- Rumex
- Salix - Willow
- Saxifraga - Saxifrage
- Sorbus - Rowan
- Tilia - Large-leaved Lime
- Vaccinium - Bilberry
[edit] Notes
- ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
[edit] References
- Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
- Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984
