Scopula (Calothysanis) immutata

• Subfamily: Sterrhinae, Scopulini
• Wingspan: 21-25 mm
• Flight period: Jun - Aug
• Spread: Common
• Host plants: Polyphagous

Information

The Scopula immutata also called Lesser Cream Wave is a moth of the Geometridae family, subfamily Sterrhinae, with a wingspan of 21-25 mm.
It is distributed throughout Europe. *
In Italy it is also present in Sicily. *
Its range extends into the temperate Palearctic ecozone.

The background color of Scopula immutata is silky white with yellow sprinkles of varying intensity (particularly in males). Drought and high temperatures during pupal development induce more yellowish moths to occur. The traversal wavy lines vary from ocher to light brown (with a subtle scattering of black scales).
Typically there are four transverse lines and one wavy margin line (often wide and blurry). Discal spots are always present, but can be much weaker on the front wings. The marginal spots are occasional, therefore rather small and inconspicuous.

The hind wings have the same pattern. The head, thorax and abdomen have the background color of the wings.

univoltona moth flies in from June to August. It inhabits wetlands, such as swamps, bogs, and wet meadows. Fly from dusk until late at night. It overwinters in the larva stage.

The caterpillar is light green with darker dorsal and lateral lines. **
The pupa is ocher in color with the area of ​​the abdominal bands brown to darken near the Cremaster which has a series of filiform appendages. **

The larva is polyphagous and feeds on Primula elatior, Leontodon. Lamium, Viola Canina, Valeriana officinalis, Filipendula, Plantago, etc. . ***


* Lepidoptera mundi https://lepidoptera.eu/ - Fauna Europea https://fauna-eu.org/
** Bestimmungshilfe für die in Europa nachgewiesenen Schmetterlingsarten - http://lepiforum.de/
*** Roland Robineau, Guide de papillons nocturne de France, Delachaux et Niestlé, 2011 p.44