Charissa obscurata

Charissa obscurata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Charissa
Species: C. obscurata
Binomial name
Charissa obscurata
(Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
Synonyms
  • Geometra obscurata Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
  • Geometra obscuraria Hübner, [1799]
  • Gnophos obscuratus

Charissa obscurata, the annulet or Scotch annulet, is a moth of the Geometridae family. It is found in most of Europe.

Illustration from John Curtis's British Entomology Volume 6

It is a variable species, whose ground colour generally reflects the area it inhabits. It is whitish or pale grey in limestone and chalky districts. Darker forms are found in areas with peaty soils.The circular O marks on all four wings are typical but may be vague. The front wings have strongly toothed lines, whose which continue on the hind wings. The margin of the large hind wing is very heavily ruffled and incised, which differ from other species of Charissa moths.[1]

The wingspan is 27–32 mm. Adults are on wing from July to August.

The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants, including Calluna species, Viscaria vulgaris, Sedum telephium and Rubus species.

References

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