The pale stigma (Mesogona acetosellae) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in central and southern Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and from western Siberia to the Altai.
| Mesogona acetosellae | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Mesogona |
| Species: | M. acetosellae |
| Binomial name | |
| Mesogona acetosellae (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) | |
| Synonyms | |
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The wingspan is 40–44 mm. Forewing greyish ochreous, flushed with brownish or rufous, and with dark irroration; lines pale with dark edging, approximating on inner margin; upper stigmata large with pale outlines: a submarginal row of dark spots between the veins; hindwing greyish ochreous, paler towards base: palpi pink, abdomen ochraceous. The form found in Siberia, eremicola Stgr, is paler, but covered with black striations. Larva dull flesh colour, dusted with black: dorsal line dull ochreous; head and thoracic plate brown.[1]
Adults are on wing from August to September depending on the location. There is one generation per year.
The larvae feed on Prunus spinosa, Quercus, Crataegus and Populus species.
| Taxon identifiers |
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