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Scopula asellaria is a small geometer moth belonging to the family Geometridae. First described by German entomologist Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1847, its scientific name asellaria comes from the Latin word asellus (little donkey), referencing its subtle gray coloration.
• Wingspan: Typically ranges between 17 mm and 21 mm.
• Appearance: The wings have a light, whitish-gray, or pale brown background. They are speckled with tiny dark or blackish dots distributed across the surface, giving them a dusty look.
The moth natively frequents xeric, dry environments with low vegetation, such as rocky steppes and sunny hillsides. Its overall distribution spans across Southern Europe and North Africa:
• Europe: Found in Mediterranean regions including Spain, Italy, Malta, and Southern France.
• North Africa: Present in countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Libya.
• Larval Diet: The caterpillars are polyphagous but show a strong preference for feeding on the flowers and dried parts of Silene (campion) species.
• Caterpillar Appearance: Like other geometer moths ("inchworms"), the larvae have a twig-like appearance to camouflage seamlessly with plants.
