Anania hortulata

The small magpie can be distinguished from similar crambid moths by its specific wing pattern: the combination of yellowish-white ground color with blackish markings, the two ochreous-yellow marks at the wing base, and the discal spots that touch the costal streak. Geometric morphometry of wing venation landmarks can separate it from look-alike species such as Sitochroa verticalis and Pleuroptya ruralis, which share similar coloration and markings. It is active by day and easily disturbed, unlike many nocturnal moth species.

Adults have yellowish-white forewings with blackish markings. The head and thorax are deep ochreous-yellow with black spots. Forewing pattern includes a blackish base with two ochreous-yellow marks, a suffused costal streak, and two thick lines: the first irregular, the second curved and tending to form spots. Small orbicular and large round discal spots touch the costal streak. Hindwings share similar coloration, second line, and terminal fascia with forewings, plus a blackish discal spot. Larvae are whitish with a dull green dorsal line that is white-edged; head and plate of segment 2 are black.

Associated with gardens and areas where host plants grow. Larvae develop in rolled or spun leaves of host plants and overwinter in transparent cocoons under loose bark or in hollow stems of Umbelliferae such as hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium).

Recorded from Asia, Europe, and North America. In North America, it is present in Canada and the United States as an exotic species. Documented occurrences include Belgium (Antwerpen and Brabant Wallon provinces).

Adults fly from June to July depending on location. They are active from dusk onward and come to light. Larvae occur in August and September. Overwintering occurs as larvae in cocoons, with pupation in spring at the overwintering site.

Larvae feed on stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and occasionally on Labiatae including white horehound (Marrubium vulgare), woundwort (Stachys species), and mint (Mentha species).

• Urtica dioica - larval host plantprimary oviposition site
• Marrubium vulgare - larval host plantoccasional
• Stachys - larval host plantwoundwort species, occasional
• Mentha - larval host plantmint species, occasional
• Heracleum sphondylium - overwintering sitelarvae overwinter in hollow stems

Eggs are laid on host plants. Larvae feed in rolled or spun leaves during August and September, then overwinter in transparent cocoons under loose bark or in hollow stems. Pupation occurs in spring at the overwintering site. Adults emerge and fly from June to July.

Adults are easily disturbed by day and fly from dusk onward. They are attracted to light. Larvae construct rolled or spun leaves for feeding shelter.

Can be confused with agricultural pests such as the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) in monitoring programs, requiring careful identification to avoid misdirected pest management efforts. Wing venation patterns have been used in developing automated identification systems to distinguish it from true crop pests.

• Sitochroa verticalisSimilar coloration and wing markings; found in corn fields at same time as European corn borer; distinguished by wing venation geometry
• Pleuroptya ruralisSimilar coloration and wing markings; found in corn fields at same time as European corn borer; distinguished by wing venation geometry
• Ostrinia nubilalisEuropean corn borer is a major agricultural pest that A. hortulata resembles; misidentification could lead to unnecessary control measures

• crambid moth
• exotic species
• North America
• day-flying moth
• Urtica dioica

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• New Technique May Help Farmers Identify the European Corn Borer