About Orthosia cruda (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775
Technical description and variation: The wingspan of Orthosia cruda is 28–32 mm. Its forewings are grey-brown, dusted with dark grey and reddish specks (referred to here as atoms). The inner and outer lines are marked by black spots on the veins; the submarginal line is pale and indistinct. The upper stigmata are dark grey, edged first with pale colour, then with rufous. The hindwing is dull grey. This species shares similar colouration with Orthosia stabilis, and varies based on how much red colouration it displays. The named variants are as follows: pallida Tutt is a very pale grey form without red, that sometimes has a slight ochreous tinge; pusillus Haw. is a darker grey form with no red admixture; nanus Haw. is similar to the typical reddish grey form, but paler; rufa Tutt is a rarer, fully reddish form; ambigua Hbn. is a dark red-brown or grey-brown form with clearly defined lines and markings.
