Oxicesta geographica

Oxicesta geographica is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in southern Romania, Austria, Hungary, from the former Yugoslavia to northern Greece and Turkey. It has also been reported from Russian Moldavia and Georgia.[2]

Oxicesta geographica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Genus:
Oxicesta
Species:
O. geographica
Binomial name
Oxicesta geographica
(Fabricius, 1787)[1]
Synonyms
  • Noctua geographica (Fabricius, 1787)
  • Phalaena Bombyx sericina Hübner, 1790
  • Phalaena Bombyx austera Borkhausen, 1791

The wingspan is 24–27 mm.

The larvae feed on Euphorbia species, with a preference for species in the subgenus Esula. They feed in silken webs on the apices of their host plant, causing extensive damage. First instars larvae feed on flower buds and tender leaves in groups of 20-30. Fifth and final instar larvae are solitary feeders and consume less than the other instars. Pupation takes place in a light yellow silk cocoon spun on the stem of the host plant.

  • Larva
  • Spinning

References
  1. Fauna Europaea
  2. Biology and host preference of Oxicesta geographica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) candidate agent for biological control of Euphorbia esula complex (Euphorbiaceae) in North America


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