12-3-2014 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SMALL RANUNCULUS MOTH (Hecatera dysodea)

Hecatera dysodea, the small ranunculus, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Europe, primarily in Central Europe and Southern Europe The northern boundary of the distribution is from the Baltic Sea and the southern part of Lithuania, Belarus, south of Moscow to the Urals. North Africa forms the distribution border in the south (from Algeria and Morocco) east they extend to the Middle East, Turkestan and across the Palearctic to Central Asia. It is an introduced species in North America, where it was first found in Utah in 1998 and Oregon in 2005.

The wingspan is 32–34 mm. The length of the forewings is 14–15 mm. Meyrick describes it thus - Forewings whitish irrorated with grey, median area suffused with grey and partly mixed with orange; subbasal line whitish, edged anteriorly with black mixed with orange; first and second lines whitish, edged internally with blackish; spots outlined with black mixed with orange; subterminal line formed of orange spots, preceded by some black scales. Hindwings pale grey, with darker posterior suffusion. Larva pale dull green, or yellowish freckled with brown; dorsal line pale, dark-edged; lateral dark, indistinct; spiracles black; head ochreous-brown or dull greenish.

The moths are found mainly on the edge or in localities. They prefer dry ruderal areas, brownfields, roadsides, embankments, gardens and parks. In the Alps they rise up to 1400 m. They fly in one generation from May to mid August.  Their cocoons typically hatch during the month of June when the humidity levels increase

The larvae feed on flowers and seeds of Asteraceae species, especially Lactuca species.

Formerly a relatively common species in the south-east, it had become extinct by the early part of the 20th century. In the last few years, however, it became re-established in a small area of Kent and Essex, around the Thames and is now expanding quite rapidly north and westwards. It is often associated with allotments.

The larvae feed on the flowers and seeds of various wild and cultivated lettuce (Lactuca spp.).

The adults fly mainly in June and July, and are occasionally attracted to light.

The adults fly mainly in June and July and are occasionally attracted to light.

The larvae feed on the flowers and seeds of various wild and cultivated Lettuce.

This species became extinct in Britain in the early part of 20th century but re-appeared in Kent in 2002 and is now re-colonising and becoming more common at least as far north as the English Midlands. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as RDBK = Suspected, but not definitely known to be in one of the Red data Book categories, and not enough information available to say which. Local results from VC55 suggest that it has become much more common of late and the Red Data Book status may need to be reviewed.

This species was previously classified as uncommon in our area but has been much more frequent in the last few years.