Melanchra persicariae (Linnaeus, 1761)


Melanchra persicariae: Adult (e.l. Memmingen, Southern Germany, 2008) [S] Melanchra persicariae: Adult (e.l. Memmingen, Southern Germany) [S] Melanchra persicariae: Larva in penultimate instar (moult rest) [M] Melanchra persicariae: Larva [S] Melanchra persicariae: Larva (Memmingen, Southern Germany) [N] Melanchra persicariae: Larva (Memmingen, Southern Germany) [M] Melanchra persicariae: Larva (northern Upper Rhine Valley, September 2012) [M] Melanchra persicariae: Larva (northern Upper Rhine Valley, September 2012) [M] Melanchra persicariae: Larva, brown form (Memmingen, Southern Germany) [N] Melanchra persicariae: Larva (northern Upper Rhine Valley, September 2012) [M] Melanchra persicariae: Pupa (e.l. Memmingen, Southern Germany) [S] Melanchra persicariae: Pupa (e.l. Oberrhein 2012) [S] Melanchra persicariae: Larval habitat along a moist forest road on the Upper Rhine Valley (September 2012) [N]

Host plants:
The larvae are polyphagous, but live quite often on Urtica dioica, Atropa belladonna, Circaea species, Senecio fuchsii and others.

Habitat:
Melanchra persicariae inhabits mostly humid, semi- to fully-shaded woodlands and edges, for example along paths.

Life cycle:
The moths fly in June and July. The caterpillars can be found in August and September, sometimes already in July. They often sit open on the upper leaf surface or on the stalk. The pupa overwinters.

Remarks:
Melanchra persicariae is a widespread and fairly common species and is found from Spain to East Asia.



Melanchra pisi 
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