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Scopula asellaria is a small moth belonging to the family Geometridae (geometer moths). It was first formally described by German entomologist Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1847.
Physical Characteristics
• Size: It has a modest wingspan of 17 to 21 mm.
• Appearance: The wings feature a pale, whitish, or light-gray base color covered with a fine dusting of tiny brown or blackish spots. Its species name, asellaria, comes from the Latin word asellus (little donkey), a historical nod to its soft, donkey-gray coloration.
Distribution & Habitat
The moth is predominantly found across Southern Europe and North Africa. It favors dry, xeric environments with low vegetation, such as rocky outcroppings, scrublands, and steppe hills.
Life Cycle & Diet
• Larval Diet: The caterpillars are polyphagous but are known to primarily feed on the dry parts and flowers of Silene species (campions).
• Behavior: Like other geometer moths, its caterpillars move with a distinct looping motion, often closely resembling small twigs to camouflage themselves from predators.
