The wingspan is 40–48 mm. Forewing deep black, the outer area beyond outer line often appearing brown; the inner and outer lines and the edges of stigmata deeper black; outer edge of reniform marked with yellowish spots; subterminal line rarely visible; hindwing in male white, sometimes with veins and termen clouded with fuscous, in female smoky grey brown, more whitish towards base; — ab. seileri Fuchs includes the intenser black forms without any trace of brown.[1]
Figs 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d larvae in various stages of growth
Biology
Adults are on wing in September and October and sometimes also in December and January.
Larva yellow green, with three well-marked red dorsal lines and a similar coloured lateral line; spiracles white; or green with the dorsal lines confluent, brown red, divided finely by white; the brown-red subdorsal and spiracular lines confluent into a broad band, with a yellow-red-edged streak below it. The larvae feed on various plants, including Poaceae, Trifolium, Rumex, Sanguisorba minor and Genista.[2]
References
^Seitz, A. Ed., 1914 Die Großschmetterlinge der Erde, Verlag Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart Band 3: Abt. 1, Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen eulenartigen Nachtfalter, 1914
