Crypsedra gemmea

Crypsedra gemmea is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Central and Northern Europe.

Crypsedra gemmea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Superfamily:	Noctuoidea
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Crypsedra
Species:	C. gemmea
Binomial name
Crypsedra gemmea (Treitschke, 1825)
Synonyms
Miselia gemmea Polymixis gemmea Hadena gemmea

Technical description and variation

For a key to the terms used, see Glossary of entomology terms.

C. gemmea Tr. (32 f). Superficially resembling L. viridana, the ground colour being the same olive- brown and the markings black and white; the orbicular stigma, however, is always round, not irregular in shape; the claviform of the ground colour, black-edged, sometimes with a few whitish scales in it, and of the ordinary shape, not triangular; the costal area is sprinkled with white scales; submarginal line white, preceded by black dentate marks; fringe brown with fine white chequering; hindwing in both sexes brownish grey, paler towards base, with cellspot and veins dark. Larva glossy bluish or greenish grey; tubercles black carrying a single pale hair; head, thoracic, and anal plates black brown.^[1] The length of the fore-wings is 16–20 mm.

Biology

The moth flies from July to September depending on the location.

The larvae feed on various grasses, but prefer Molinia caerulea.