About Thera obeliscata (Hübner)
This species has a scientific name Thera obeliscata (Hübner). It has a wingspan of 28–36 mm. Its forewings are reddish brown or fulvous. The distal edge of the forewing median band is not strongly indented, or has only one deep indentation located on the fold; the pale subterminal line is commonly obsolete, and if present, it is not strongly dentate. Hindwings are more glossy and brownish than those of Thera variata; the discal dot is generally completely obsolete on the upper side of the hindwing, though it is visible on the underside. There are several named aberrations. The aberration ab. tristrigaria Donov. is an infrequent form that has three unusually well-developed, elongate interneural submarginal streaks between the 5th subcostal and 3rd radial veins. The aberration ab. mediolucens Rossi is a distinct form with an appreciably darkened ground colour, while the median band remains fulvous, making it appear lighter, or at least brighter, than the adjacent areas. The aberration ab. obliterata B. White is almost uniform brown-black or black-brown; it occurs in Britain and occasionally in the mountains of Central Italy. It is difficult to reliably distinguish Thera obeliscata from Thera britannica; see Townsend et al. for more details. The egg of Thera obeliscata is elongated, and ranges from yellowish to greenish in colour. Its surface is divided by grooves into irregular fields that are filled with small warts. Fully grown caterpillars are green in colour, with white-yellow dorsolateral lines and lateral stripes. They have two small tips at the rear end. The pupa is greenish or brownish, marked with whitish or yellowish longitudinal lines, and its tip is reddish-brown.
