70.287 : 1964 : 7857
Geometrinae : Ennominae

Annulet

CHARISSA (Charissa) obscurata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Picture
Kind permission - © Iain Outlaw
Life Cycle Guide
Picture
Description
Wingspan: 32 - 39mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe - ( Excluding - Azores,Balearic Is.,Canary Is.,Corsica,Crete,Cyprus,Luxembourg,Madeira & C,E & N Russia)
UK Distribution: Local through much of Great Britain
UK Conservation Status -
  • Local = 101 - 300  10km squares
European Conservation Status -
  • Least Concern
Original Species Name -
  • Geometra obscurata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Type Species - Charissa
  • Geometra obscurata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Type Locality -
  • Austria - near Vienna
Flight Period: July - mid September - univoltine
Habitat: Heathland : Coastal Cliffs : Calcareous Grassland : Quarries
Similar Species -
  • Scotch Annulet - Gnophos obfuscata - ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Larva: The 25mm final instar larva is grey or brown with lighter chevron markings dorsally. Spiracles are black and two humps are positioned dorsally on the eleventh segment.
Pupa: Pupates in cocoon just below soil or in plant litter
Overwinters as: Larva
Observations: Variable in colour the markings on this moth tends to be constant with forms on calcareous soils leaning towards whitish and those living on siliceous soils terrain tend to be darker,this matching soil colour.
Antemedian and postmedain lines are irregular with the median area sometimes being darker than the base ground colour with four hollow ringed discular spots although these will be missing on some individuals.
Although similar to Scotch Annulet this moth is smaller with less pointed forewing and usually with more distinct markings.

The moth is easily disturbed during the day and is attracted to light.
Photo Gallery
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.
Larval Food Plants
Taxonomy
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Type Species CHARISSA:

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Forms:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Ennominae
Gnophini
CHARISSA Curtis 1826
Charissa Curtis 1826
Charissa (Charissa) obscurata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
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Geometra obscurata Schiffermüller, 1775
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GEOMETRA obscurata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
= Geometra obscuraria Hübner, [1799]
= Gnophos obscuratus
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Ankündung eines systematischen Werkes von den Schmetterlingen der Wienergegend : Title Page : p.108 - n.3
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Austria - near Vienna
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C.o.f.obscuriorata Prout, 1904 - wings extremely dark
C.o.f.calceata Staundinger, 1861 - Wings whitish with dark lines
C.o.f.mundata Prout, 1914 - white with black markings
C.o.f.fasciata Prout, 1904 - median area more sombre
C.o.f.pallidemarginata Oberthür, 1913 - marginal area lighter coloured
C.o.f.argillacearia Staudinger , 1871 - background slate/sand coloured
C.o.f.lafauryata Oberthür, 1913 - dark form,small,speckled with ochre,clear markings
C.o.f.gouini Ecole bordelaise, 1927 - white with orbicicular spot missing
C.o.f.approximata Lempke, 1953 - cross lines close together