About Calophasia lunula Hufnagel, 1766
Technical description and variation: C. lunula Hufn. (= linariae Esp.) (29 b). The forewing is bluish grey, suffused with olive fuscous; this suffusion is particularly prominent in the median area and along an oblique fascia that runs from the apex to just before the anal angle. The lines are double, filled with grey, but only distinct below the middle of the wing; they are curved and closely approximate one another. The claviform stigma is elongate, bluish grey, and edged with black. The orbicular stigma is small, flattened, white, and edged with black. The reniform stigma is conspicuous, white, with black lateral edges. There are some black streaks in the wing intervals across the oblique apical fascia. The fringe is chequered, with alternating olive brown and grey. The hindwing is dingy grey, with darker veins and darker braces forming the outer line; it also has a broad, smoky blackish terminal border. The larva is bluish grey, with all of its lines yellow. It has a dorsal series of transverse oblong velvety black blotches, and a lateral series of black spots. Fully grown larvae measure 12 millimeters long. Distribution: Calophasia lunula ranges across all of Europe, including Central and Southern Europe, extending through to Russia, Central Asia, and the Russian Far East. It does not occur in Japan. It has been introduced to parts of Canada and the United States. In the Alps, it can be found at altitudes up to 2000 meters. This species prefers warm slopes, heathlands, and wastelands.
