Cabbage Moth
| Cabbage Moth | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Mamestra |
| Species: | M. brassicae |
| Binomial name | |
| Mamestra brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
Note: the Small White species of butterfly is commonly called a "cabbage moth" in North America.
The Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae) is a common Palearctic moth of the family Noctuidae.It is found in Europe, Russia and as far east as Japan.
This species varies considerably in size, with a wingspan of 34–50 mm. The forewings are brown and mottled with a prominent white-edged stigma and a broken white sub terminal line.[1][2] The hind wings are grey, darker towards the termen. The prominent spur on the tibia of the foreleg is a diagnostic feature, though is best viewed with a magnifying lens. This moth has a rather complex life history: two or three broods are produced each year and adults can be seen at any time from May to October, occasionally at other times [1]. It flies at night and is attracted to light, sugar and nectar-rich flowers.
The larva is green, khaki, grey-brown or brown with dark spots.[1][2] The topside is darker than the bottom side and a yellow or light brown stripe goes round the middle portion by the spots.[1][2] They grow to about an inch long before pupating, As the common and scientific names suggest, it can be a pest of cultivated brassicas and sweet peas, but it feeds on a wide range of other plants (see list below).[2] Due to its complex life history, this species overwinters either as a larva or a pupa.
- ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
Recorded food plants
- Allium - Onion
- Aquilegia - Columbine
- Beta - Beet
- Brassica
- Bryonia - Bryony
- Calendula - Marigold
- Cannabis - Marijuana
- Chrysanthemum
- Cucurbita
- Dianthus - Carnation
- Helianthus - Sunflower
- Hyoscyamus - Henbane
- Hyssopus - Hyssop
- Lactuca - Lettuce
- Linum - Flax
- Lychnis - Maltese Cross
- Lycopersicon - Tomato
- Malus - Apple
- Nicotiana - Tobacco
- Pisum
- Plantago - Plantain
- Raphanus - Radish
- Rheum - Rhubarb
- Rudbeckia
- Rumex
- Silene
- Solanum - Potato
- Spinacia - Spinach
See Robinson, G. S. et al.[3]
References
- ^ a b c "Interesting (To Us) Photos From The Garden". Meades.org. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ^ a b c d "RXwildlife Sightings » Blog Archive » More Emergence". Rxwildlife.org.uk. 2009-06-03. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ^ "Robinson, G. S., P. R. Ackery, I. J. Kitching, G. W. Beccaloni & L. M. Hernández, 2010. HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London.".
- 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
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