About Sitochroa verticalis Linnaeus, 1758
Sitochroa verticalis (Linnaeus, 1758) is a moth species with an adult wingspan of about 30–34 mm. Adult moths have yellowish or light ocher forewings marked with three thin brown cross lines; the underside of the forewings bears distinct, strongly marked dark brown lines. Hindwings are whitish yellow with two darker transverse lines. Caterpillars of this species are green with a light brown head, reaching a body length of approximately 29 mm (1.1 in). This species is quite similar in appearance to Ostrinia nubilalis. This species is distributed across most of Europe, including the British Islands. Its range stretches from western Portugal, through Central and Eastern Europe and Siberia, to the Russian Far East and Japan. To the north, its distribution extends to southern Sweden, and to the south it reaches as far as Italy. These moths prefer open landscapes containing dry or slightly humid grassy areas.
