Apamea unanimis
(Hübner, 1813)
Small Clouded Brindle
Apamea unanimis, commonly known as the small clouded brindle, is a first described by Jacob in 1813. to Europe, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and western Siberia, it has been to North America and is established in parts of Canada and the northern United States. The is associated with wetland where its larval plants grow.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Apamea unanimis: /əˈpeɪ.mi.ə juːˈnæn.ɪ.mɪs/
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Identification
Distinguished from Apamea obscura by lacking the grey tinge and by the submarginal not being acutely angled below the middle. The black streaks at the base, when present, are more pronounced than in typical A. obscura. The with its external edging is a useful character. Several aberrant forms exist, including ab. secalina with black submedian streak and paler and submarginal areas, and ab. rufithorax with bright and . may be confused with other Apamea but the combination of reddish clay- ground color with yellow-white lines and black is characteristic.
Images
Appearance
have a wingspan of 30–38 mm. are brownish fuscous to red-, often with black streaks from the base below the and above the inner margin near the base. A blackish streak may occur on the submedian fold between the two . The is externally edged with . The area is dusted with grey and less dark than related forms. are pale. are reddish clay- to yellow-brown with yellow-white and dorsolateral lines, a bright stripe, and black . capsule, neck shield, and shield are brownish.
Habitat
Wetland including marshes, reedbeds, and edges of water bodies where larval plants occur. In North America, it has been recorded at light stations near wetlands and in prairie-oasis habitats with nearby water sources.
Distribution
to Europe, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and western Siberia. to North America with established in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick (Canada), and New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin (USA). GBIF records confirm presence in Belgium.
Seasonality
are on from June to July, with exact timing varying by location.
Diet
feed on common reed (Phragmites australis), canarygrasses (Phalaris spp.), and mannagrasses (Glyceria spp.). feeding habits are not documented.
Host Associations
- Phragmites australis - larval foodplantcommon reed
- Phalaris - larval foodplantcanarygrasses
- Glyceria - larval foodplantmannagrasses
Life Cycle
with , larval, pupal, and stages. are described from collected specimens; specific details of site and stage are not documented in available sources.
Behavior
are and attracted to light. are concealed feeders within or on their grass .
Ecological Role
Larval in wetland , consuming emergent grasses and reeds. Specific role in is not documented.
Human Relevance
No significant economic or ecological impact documented. Occasionally encountered by enthusiasts at light traps. status in North America suggests human-mediated , but impacts on are not recorded.
Similar Taxa
- Apamea obscuraSimilar pattern but A. obscura has more grey tinge, less pronounced black , and acutely angled submarginal below middle
- Apamea secalisAberrant form ab. semiochrea of A. unanimis has been mistaken for A. secalis due to pale ochreous postmedian area
More Details
Aberrant forms
Multiple named aberrations exist: ab. submissa and ab. remissa with reduced or absent black ; ab. secalina with black submedian streak and paler areas; ab. rufithorax with and (known from single male specimen from Wiesbaden); ab. fasciata with dark fuscous area and conspicuous ; ab. semiochrea with pale ochreous postmedian area.
North American introduction
Established in northeastern North America suggest successful following introduction, though the mechanism and date of introduction are not documented.