About Scopula nigropunctata (Hufnagel, 1767)
Scopula nigropunctata, commonly known as the sub-angled wave, is a moth species belonging to the family Geometridae. It is distributed across most of the Palearctic realm. This species has a wingspan ranging from 29 to 34 mm. It is closely related to Scopula umbelaria, but differs by being smaller and less whitish; its base wing color is noticeably more testaceous, and on average it is more strongly dusted with markings. The forewings appear slightly shorter and broader, with a distal margin that is more strongly curved or bent in the middle, making the anterior portion of the forewing less oblique. The black discal spot is nearly always distinct, and often large. In the typical form, the strong dark median shade and the postmedian line are both angled near the forewing costa, and the median shade runs rather more obliquely than it does in S. umbelaria. On average, the hindwing has a rather stronger angle in its middle, though this feature is very variable. Both wings usually have a dark terminal line that is interrupted at the vein ends, and often thickened between the veins. Black dots in the wing fringe are very faint or entirely absent. On the underside, both sexes are sharply marked and differ very little from one another. The basal half or more of the forewing is more or less suffused with fuscous, especially along the veins, and the inner line is absent. The hindwing has a zigzag outer line. In China, Japan, Korea, and probably southeastern Siberia, a series of more variable forms occur, which are extremely varied in size, shape, ground color, and the distinctness of their markings. The egg of S. nigropunctata has the characteristic pattern of coarser longitudinal ribbing and finer transverse ribbing. The larva is very slender, tapering slightly toward the anterior end, with a rounded head, transversely ribbed skin, and very small brown spiracles. Its general body color is greenish grey, with a narrow, distinct dull green dorsal line. On the extreme anterior edge of each middle body segment, there is a square black spot that is divided down its center by the dorsal line. The pupa bears six minute hooks on the cremaster, in addition to a strong pair of central spines. Adult moths fly from May to August, with the timing varying based on location. The larvae feed on a wide range of shrubs and deciduous trees. In captive settings, they feed on Taraxacum and Clematis species.
