Noctuidae : Cucullinae
Shark
CUCULLIA (Cucullia) umbratica (Linnaeus, 1758)
Shark
CUCULLIA (Cucullia) umbratica (Linnaeus, 1758)
Life Cycle Guide
Description
Wingspan: 48 - 57mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe - less Mediterranean Islands : Afghanistan : Turkestan : Mongolia
UK Distribution: England,Wales,parts of Ireland - well distributed and fairly frequent : Scotland,Ilse of Man - widespread but local : Channel Isles - widespread and frequent
UK Conservation Status -
Habitat: Gardens : Chalk & Limestone Grassland : Marshes : Sand-dunes : Shingle Beaches
Similar Species -
Pupa: Pupates in a tough cocoon beneath soil
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: Although similar to the Chamomile Shark this moth is larger and greyer and flies later in the season.This moth also has forewing fringes which are clear of the black streaks found in the similar species.The hindwing of the male is white with clearly defined veins whereas the female has brown hindwings,lighter at the base.
The moth is attracted to light and feeds on flowers like Honeysuckle.
Worldwide Distribution: Europe - less Mediterranean Islands : Afghanistan : Turkestan : Mongolia
UK Distribution: England,Wales,parts of Ireland - well distributed and fairly frequent : Scotland,Ilse of Man - widespread but local : Channel Isles - widespread and frequent
UK Conservation Status -
- Common = > 300 10km squares
- Least Concern
- Phalaena (Noctua) umbratica Linnaeus, 1758
- Phalaena umbratica Linnaeus, 1758
- [Europe]
Habitat: Gardens : Chalk & Limestone Grassland : Marshes : Sand-dunes : Shingle Beaches
Similar Species -
- Chamomile Shark - Cucullia chamomillae - ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Pupa: Pupates in a tough cocoon beneath soil
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: Although similar to the Chamomile Shark this moth is larger and greyer and flies later in the season.This moth also has forewing fringes which are clear of the black streaks found in the similar species.The hindwing of the male is white with clearly defined veins whereas the female has brown hindwings,lighter at the base.
The moth is attracted to light and feeds on flowers like Honeysuckle.
Subspecies
C.u.umbratica Linnaeus, 1758 - Europe
C.u.umbratica Linnaeus, 1758 - Europe
Larval Food Plants Worldwide
Note - Plants hyperlinked in red below take the visitor to the relevant plant page on"Plants for a Future" website where further information like photos,physical characteristics,habitats,edible uses,medicinal uses,cultivation,propagation,range,height etc. are clearly listed.
Plant Families - in bold red below takes the visitor to the relevant "Lepi-plants" page where other butterflies & moths using the plants below are listed.
Plant Families - in bold red below takes the visitor to the relevant "Lepi-plants" page where other butterflies & moths using the plants below are listed.
- Asteraceae - Compositae - Aster-Daisy - Sunflower Family
- Cichorium endivia - Endive
- Crepis biennis - Rough Hawksbeard
- Crepis capillaris - Smooth Hawksbeard
- Crepis paludosa - Marsh Hawksbeard
- Crepis vesicaria - Beaked Hawksbeard
- Erigeron annuus - Annual Fleabane
- Hieracium pilosella - Mouse-ear Hawkweed
- Hieracium umbellatum - Hawkbit
- Hypochaeris maculata - Spotted Hawkweed
- Sonchus arvensis - Field Milk Thistle,Perennial Sow-thistle
- Taraxacum officinale - Common Dandelion
- Caryophyllaceae - Pink - Carnation Family
- Silene pratensis - Evening Campion
- Rubiaceae - Bedstraw Family
- Galium verum - Lady's Bedstraw
Larval Food Plants
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Taxonomy
Kingdom:
Subkingdom: Phylum: Subphylum: Class: Order: Superfamily: Family: Subfamily: Genus: Subgenus: Accepted Species Name: Type Species - CUCULLIA: Original Species Name: Species Names: Literary Ref: Type Locality: Subspecies: |
Animalia
Eumetozoa Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Lepidoptera Noctuoidea Noctuidae Cuculliinae CUCULLIA Schrank, 1802 culcullia Schrank, 1802 Cucullia (Cucullia) umbratica (Linnaeus, 1758) - Phalaena umbratica Linnaeus, 1758 - PHALAENA (Noctua) umbratica Linnaeus, 1758 = Cucullia sonchi Heinemann, 1859 = albida Spuler, 1908 = lucifuga = lactucae = tanaceti - Syst. Nat. (Edn 10) 1 : Title Page : p.515 n.103 - [Europe] - C.u.umbratica Linnaeus, 1758 - Europe C.u.lampra (Püngeler, 1909) - Xinjang |