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Idaea minuscularia is a small, whitish-grey geometrid moth found in Southwest Europe and Northwest Africa, often in coastal maquis, cultivated areas, and villages, feeding on ground-level herbs like Oxalis, and recognized by its pale color with fine dark markings and a simple wing edge, differentiating it from similar Idaea species.
Appearance: Small (1.2-1.8 cm wingspan), white/grey wings with scattered dark scales, often with indistinct lines and a dotted border on the wing edge.
Habitat: Common near coasts in maquis shrubland, cultivated fields, and walls in SW Europe & NW Africa.
Larval Diet: Feeds on herbs near the ground, including Oxalis in the Azores.
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Behavior: Nocturnal, attracted to lights.
Identification: Distinguished from I. incisaria and I. calunetaria by its less contrasted colors and regular (not wavy) hindwing edge.
Taxonomy: A species of the large Idaea genus, part of the Sterrhinae subfamily.
In Summary: It's a widespread, generally common, small, pale moth often found in human-modified coastal environments, feeding on low-growing plants, and identifiable by its subtle markings and straight wing edges.
