Eulithis prunata

Eulithis prunata, the phoenix, is a moth of the genus Eulithis in the family Geometridae.

Museum specimen

Phoenix
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Geometridae
Genus:	Eulithis
Species:	E. prunata
Binomial name
Eulithis prunata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description

The moth has a wingspan of about 28 to 37 mm. The ground colour of the forewing is dark brown. The midfield is bordered by grey-white or brown-white cross bands on both sides and shows a strong point-shaped bulge outward. On the distal white wavy line, there are several black arrow stains contrasted with white. Below the apex, there is a large, dark, crescent-shaped spot located. Three bright wavy lines are visible on the grey rear wings. ^[1]

Distribution

Palearctic

Subspecies

• Eulithis prunata prunata (Europe)
• Eulithis prunata leucoptera (Kamchatka, the Amur region, Sakhalin, Korea, Japan)
• Eulithis prunata teberdensis (Caucasus, Georgia, Armenia)

Larva Moscow Oblast

Biology

Larval food plants

The larvae feed on currant bushes of the genus Ribes, including Alpine Currant, Blackcurrant, Gooseberry, Redcurrant and Ribes aureum. Ornamental member of the genus may also be hosts.^[2]