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Cyclophora annularia

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Cyclophora annularia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Cyclophora
Species:
C. annularia
Binomial name
Cyclophora annularia
(Fabricius, 1775)[1]
Synonyms
  • Phalaena annularia Fabricius, 1775
  • Phalaena annulata Schulze, 1775
  • Cyclophora annulata
  • Phalaena circulifera Fourcroy, 1785
  • Phalaena denticulata Thunberg, 1788
  • Geometra omicronaria Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775

Cyclophora annularia, the mocha, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775 and it can be found in Europe.

Figs.Fig 8,8a Larva after final moult

Its wingspan is 18 to 22 millimetres (0.71 to 0.87 in). Normally, the wings of this species are yellowish white, inclining to ochreous yellow with the blackish central shade near to and sometimes united with the blackish irregular and outwardly toothed second cross line on both fore and hind wings. The rings are deep brown or blackish. There is variation in the width and intensity of the central shade, and the rings sometimes are absent on the fore wings (ab. obsoleta, Riding), and occasionally all the wings are devoid of the annular mark (ab. biobsoleta, Riding). Examples of a second generation reared in captivity are rather deeper coloured, and have a sprinkling of black scales, chiefly on the fore wings.

The caterpillar is dark green, yellow between the rings; there are three yellow lines along the back, the outer ones waved. The head is reddish brown, paler marked. There is also a pale ochreous brown form.[2]

Adults are on wing from May to August depending on the location. The larvae feed on maple tree leaves.

The name derives from a fancied resemblance to the Mocha stone.

References

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  1. ^ Yu, Dicky Sick Ki. "Cyclophora annularia (Fabricius 1775)". Home of Ichneumonoidea. Taxapad. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  2. ^ South R. (1908) The Moths of the British Isles, (Second Series), Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., London & NY: 388 pp.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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