Gold Spangle

Gold Spangle
Autographa bractea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Autographa
Species: A. bractea
Binomial name
Autographa bractea
Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
Synonyms
  • Plusia bractea
  • Phytometra bractea
  • Noctua bractea
  • Phalaena securis

The Gold Spangle (Autographa bractea) is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in Europe, across Western Siberia and the Altai Mountains, the Northern Caucasus, Northern Turkey and Northern Iran.

Autographabractea2009.png

Its wingspan is 42-50 mm. The forewings are brown and gray with large rhombous golden marks. The hindwings and body are lighter grayish brown.

The moth flies from July to August depending on the location, and migrates long distances. The larvae feed on a wide range of plants including Hieracium, Tussilago farfara, Plantago, Crepis paludosa, Taraxacum, Urtica, Lamium, Stachys and Eupatorium cannabinum.

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