Parastichtis suspecta

Parastichtis suspecta, the suspected, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae.

Adults are variable with a number of forms ranging from plain to more variegated.

Forewing pale luteous grey, with sometimes strong red-brown, rufous or brownish tinge; the lines and shading only slightly darker; the median shade distinct; the upper stigmata large, with distinct whitish outline; submarginal line pale, waved, the terminal area beyond it darker; hindwing dull grey; of this form the very palest specimens with scarcely any markings are ab.

pallida Tutt, while the grey examples with no rufous or luteous tinge whatever are grisea Tutt; — suspecta Hbn [type] is more mottled with darker, brownish red, shades; — in nigrescens Tutt these dark shades are intensified and the whole insect becomes blackish red brown; the bright red specimens, with lines and markings clear are rufa Tutt; — while the red brown forms mixed with purplish grey and with paler stigmata are variegata [4] Adults are on wing from late July to August[5] in one generation in Europe.

[6] The young larvae live in spun shoots of the host plant.

Fig.3 larva