About Cosmia pyralina (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775
Cosmia pyralina (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775, the lunar-spotted pinion moth, has the following technical description and variation. Forewings are dull or bright red-brown with a pinker base colour, and are generally darkened by olive fuscous. The first line is blackish, oblique, and not edged with white; it angles outwards between veins and inwards along the veins. A darker median shade precedes the outer line, which is edged with white. This white edge becomes diffused on the costa and joins the white streak located before the submarginal line. Stigmata are very obscure, and sometimes have dark centres against a paler ground. A darker red shade precedes the submarginal line. Hindwings are pale grey in males and darker in females. Brighter-coloured individuals are classified as the aberration corusea Esp. The larva is pale green with white lines; the spiracular line is yellowish, and edged with black along its upper margin; the head is yellow-green. Cosmia pyralina has a wingspan of 28–32 mm. This moth is quite similar to Cosmia affinis, but differs by having paler hindwings and broader forewings. This species can be found in central Europe, ranging north to central Great Britain and southern Fennoscandia, south to northern Spain and central Italy, and east through Bulgaria to the Caucasus; it continues further east across the Palearctic to Korea and Japan.
