Scopula (Calothysanis) minorata

• Subfamily: Sterrhinae, Scopulini
• Wingspan: 15-20 mm
• Flight period: Apr - Oct
• Spread: Uncommon
• Host plants: Polyphagous

Information

The Scopula minorata also called Petite Wave is a moth of the Geometridae family, subfamily Sterrhinae, with a wingspan of 15-20 mm.
In Europe it is present in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Albania, Greece and Bulgaria. *
In Italy it is also present in the islands. *
Its range extends in Africa south of the Sahara, in the Arabian peninsula and in some islands of the Indian Ocean.

The background color of Scopula minorata varies from light ocher to brown, with dark markings and dusting. The wing design varies from dark brown to blackish, in contrast to the background color. The wings have some transverse lines. The internal transverse line and mid-bands are usually poorly developed, as is the mid-band which is relatively broad when present. but often washed out. The internal transverse line is frequently reduced to a row of stitches.

On the other hand, the external transverse line is significantly developed and almost always very pronounced and jagged. The edge of the front wing may be slightly darker than the background color. Disc spots are almost always present on the front wings as well as on the hind wings.

The hind wings have the same pattern. The head, thorax and abdomen have the background color of the wings with dusting, of the same color as the markings present on the wings, on each segment.

The moth has several generations per year in the period from April to October. The Scopula minorata is found in lowland habitats in dry and warm areas, especially near the coast.

The brown caterpillar has a generally darker dorsal line and a series of dark diagonal designs. **
The pupa is ocher in color with the area of the abdominal bands marked in brown on each "junction" to darken near the cremaster which has a series of filiform appendages. **

The larva is polyphagous and feeds on Acanthaceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, in addition to Plumbago, Petunia, Tamarix, 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.43.