Cucullia scrophulariae ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Species
Last modified: Oct. 16, 2025, 6:56 p.m.
A rather rare species throughout Belgium. More observed as larvae than imagos.
This species is considered Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List category for Flanders 2023.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Noctuidae > Subfamily: Cuculliinae > Genus: Cucullia > Species: Cucullia scrophulariae
- Vernacular names
- Helmkruidvlinder (NL), Water Betony (EN), La Cucullie de la Scrophulaire (FR), Braunwurz-Mönch (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1844. Énumération des insectes Lépidoptères de la Belgique. — Mémoires de la Société royale des Sciences de Liége 2: 1–35. On page 13.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 44–50 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Caterpillar
Bionomics
Hibernates as a pupa in a tough cocoon underground, sometimes for several years. The adults come rarely to light.
No pictures yet!
Flight periods
The adults fly from mid-May till mid-July in one generation a year.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Scrophularia auriculata
- Host plant (genera):
- Verbascum
The larva lives on Scrophularia and Verbascum, sometimes many caterpillars on the same plant eating all plant tissues. They prefer foodplants standing in the shadow.
No pictures yet!
