Cucullia tanaceti

Cucullia tanaceti is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775.

Description
Cucullia tanaceti has a wingspan of 40 - 48 mm. Adults have greyish-brownish wings, while caterpillars are white with yellow longitudinal lines and black markings. Adults are on the wing from April to early June and from July to September.

It is a bivoltine species. In summer the larvae feed on Achillea, Tanacetum, Anthemis, Santolina, Ormenis, while in autumn they feed on Artemisia. Pupation last two years.

Distribution
This species is widespread in Europe, Near East, Asia Minor, Iran and Turkestan.

Habitat
They prefer xerophilous areas, dry sunny slopes and rocky places.