10-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Scopula asellaria)

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.

4-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Scopula asellaria)

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.

25-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Scopula asellaria)

Scopula asellaria is a moth species in the Geometridae family, found in North Africa and southern Europe, including Spain. It belongs to the Sterrhinae subfamily and often inhabits warm, Mediterranean habitats. Larvae are known to feed on Silene species, particularly flowers. It was described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1847 and is sometimes listed under the genus Glossotrophia. 

Key Facts About Scopula asellaria:

Family: Geometridae.

Subfamily: Sterrhinae.

Distribution: Southern Europe and North Africa.

Host Plants: The larvae feed on the flowers of Silene species (Caryophyllaceae).

Synonyms: Acidalia asellaria Herrich-Schäffer, 1847, Glossotrophia asellaria, and Glossotrophia dentatolineata Wehrli, 1926.

Appearance: Like other members of the Scopula genus (sometimes called "waves"), they typically have a light, often sandy-coloured or whitish wing base with faint, wavy transverse lines.