Cosmia affinis

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Cosmia affinis, the lesser-spotted pinion, is a moth in the Noctuidae family. It lives across central and southern Europe, reaches Great Britain, Denmark, and southern Sweden, and stretches to Saint Petersburg in the north. Its range also includes northern and central Asia up to Japan and parts of north‑west Africa.

The forewings are reddish‑brown or fulvous with grey shading. Dark lines run across the wings and are edged with paler color. The main markings (stigmata) are pale red‑brown; the rounded orbicular stigma and the 8‑shaped reniform stigma have dark centers. A pale, wavy submarginal line is followed by a brown cloud and white scales near the apex. There are small black spots along the outer edge, and the hindwings are dark with a yellowish fringe.

There are several variants and color forms, including some greener or paler individuals. In Japan, the moths are typically larger than in Europe. The wingspan is about 28–33 mm.

Adults fly from June to August in one generation each year.

Larvae (caterpillars) are pale green with five white lines along their bodies and black tubercles and spiracles. They mainly feed on the leaves of elm trees (Ulmus) but have also been found on oak (Quercus), lime/linden (Tilia), and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).