About Heliothis peltigera (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775
Scientific name: Heliothis peltigera (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775
Technical description and variation: Heliothis peltigera has a 29–40 mm wingspan, with forewings measuring 16–19 mm in length. These moths show considerable variation in pattern and colour. Their forewings are most often greyish ochreous, flushed with pale brown except for the narrow marginal area; the brown lines on the forewings are indistinct, and the orbicular stigma appears as a dark dot. In the middle of the costa there is a reniform grey dot with a dark brown edge and centre, connected to a brown mark. A brown band runs between the outer and submarginal lines, and a black dot sits below vein 2 just before the margin. The hindwings have a broad brown-black marginal border that holds a pale blotch between veins 2 and 4; the cellspot is dark and the fringes are white. Mature larvae are reddish grey or ochreous, dotted with white. They have dark dorsal and subdorsal lines, and a white spiracular line. This species looks very similar to Heliothis nubigera, which has less distinct kidney-shaped markings, and to Helicoverpa armigera, which has lighter coloured hindwings.
Distribution: This species is found in Southern Europe and the Near East, and also occurs further north because it is a regular northbound migratory species. It is also present across most of Africa, including Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Somalia, and Tunisia, as well as across Asia, ranging as far east as China and Laos.
Habitat: As a heat-loving species, Heliothis peltigera occurs mainly on hot wastelands and warm slopes.
