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Mniotype occidentalis is a moth species belonging to the family Noctuidae (owlet moths) and the subfamily Noctuinae, whose larvae are generally categorized as cutworms or dart moths.
• New Status: This specific species was officially described and separated as a distinct species in 2010 by entomologists Yela, Fibiger, Zilli, and Ronkay. Prior to this taxonomy update, it was grouped under the species Mniotype spinosa.
• Wingspan: Adults have an average wingspan of approximately 37 mm to 42 mm.
• Adult Appearance: They feature a highly cryptic, dark coloration blending shades of brown, copper, and dark gray. The forewings exhibit distinct black lines resembling ancient markings, accented by striking whitish borders framing the reniform (kidney-shaped) spots.
• Larval Appearance: Plump, smooth caterpillars typical of the cutworm family that adapt to life in the ground and herb layer.
• Geographic Range: Found throughout the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), southern France, northwest Africa, and select Western Mediterranean islands.
• Local Habitat: It primarily thrives in dry, hot, semi-desert or semi-arid landscapes generally below altitudes of 800 meters. They are frequently spotted inside rocky ravines (barrancos) or dried river beds where sparse vegetation accumulates.
• Diet: The larvae are polyphagous (generalist feeders), consuming a variety of wild herbs and low-growing plants, such as Sonchus (sow thistles) and Lotus (trefoils).
• Activity: True to their "cutworm" lineage, the caterpillars usually hide during the daytime near the soil and feed under the cover of night, while adult moths are nocturnal.
