A recent record of Uthetheisa pulchella L. (Lepidoptera : Arctiidae) from Malta

Abstract

Four specimens of Uthetheisa pulchel/a L. (Eng. Crimson Speckled Moth; Malt. Farfett tal- Gnobbejra) were observed by the author in an uncultivated field at Hax-Xluq, limits of Siggiewi, Malta on 4th November 1990. The time of observation was 1400 hrs, and the moths were easily disturbed and took to flight for short distances. The field in question had not been cultivated for some time, and the only plants growing there were clumps of Brassica rapa subsp. sy/vestris (L.) Janchen (Malt. Liftija) and senescent Heliotropum europaeum L. (Malt. Gnobbejra bajda). The latter is the food-plant most favoured by U. pulchella (VALLETTA 1973). Although almost dry, the few leaves remaining on the plants bore signs of having been fed on by lepidopterous larvae. As the second brood of this bivoltine species occurs during October-November and the pupation period is generally about 30 days (VALLETTA 1973), it is probable that the four imagines noted, which appeared to be in good condition, had emerged fairly recently.