The Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is an abundant species throughout most of Europe, probably the commonest lichenivorous moth of the region.

This is quite a small species with a wingspan of 22-30 mm. The forewings are white with dark grey cryptic markings, giving excellent camouflage against the lichens on which the eggs are laid. The intensity of the markings vary considerably, with darker individuals predominating in urban areas, an example of industrial melanism. A significant proportion of individuals also have orange or yellow markings. The hindwings are whitish with a broad grey band at the margin. The adults fly at night in July and August ^[1] and are attracted to light.

The larva is bluish-grey with orange markings along the back. It feeds exclusively on lichens such as Lecidea and Xanthoria. This species overwinters as a larva.

Notes

1. ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

References

• Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
• Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984