About Chilodes maritima (Tauscher, 1806)
Scientific name: Chilodes maritima (Tauscher, 1806)
Technical description and variation. The typical form, previously named N. maritima Tausch (synonyms: sericea Curt., anella Stph.), has silky grey forewings. The veins on the forewings are pale grey, the spaces between the veins are darker, and the pale stigmata are barely visible. Only the outer line is marked by a curved row of small black dots on the veins. The hindwings are pure white, with faint traces of an outer row of dark dots.
There are several described aberrations of this species. The aberration ab. ulvae Hbn. has rufous ochreous forewings along the central area; the costa is dark grey with pale veins, and the stigmata are outlined in white. The outer row of dots is followed by a dark shade, and a row of very small dots runs before the wing termen. The hindwings are ochreous white, with a grey cell spot and an outer row of dots.
In aberration bipunctata Haw. (synonym: nigromaculata Schmidt), the two stigmata are deep black, with an additional small black spot at the base of the cell. In the form wismariensis Schmidt, a broad black longitudinal stripe runs from the wing base to the termen through the middle of the wing. In nigrocostata Stgr., a broad black stripe runs along the costa. Nigristriata Stgr. resembles the typical grey form, but has many black streaks that run parallel to the veins.
The larva is ochreous, with fine dark and light longitudinal lines. The head and thoracic plate are brown. The wingspan of the species ranges from 29 to 36 mm.
