Agate owl
| Agate owl | ||||||||||||
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Agate Owl ( Phlogophora meticulosa ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Phlogophora meticulosa | ||||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1758) |
The agate owl , or mangold owl ( Phlogophora meticulosa ) is a butterfly ( moth ) and belongs to the family of owl butterflies (Noctuidae).
features
The wing color of the agate owl varies from olive green to yellow-brown to rust-brown. On the forewings, transverse bands form V-shaped, darker markings, and the outer edges of the forewings are curved and jagged. The hind wings are lighter and have only faint, dark transverse lines. Their wingspan is between 4.5 and 5.5 centimeters. The wing posture is characteristic in the resting phase: They are folded a little lengthways and look like a dried out, dead leaf.
distribution
The nocturnal butterfly is a migrant butterfly . The assumption that the species is not indigenous north of the Alps has since been refuted by the regular finds of overwintered caterpillars. The northern limit of down-to-earthness in Europe is not yet exactly known. Its distribution area extends over Europe , North Africa and Asia . In early summer it flies from the south over the Alps to Central and Northern Europe and inhabits gardens, open areas, forest areas and urban areas. He's not particularly specialized. The next generation will sometimes fly back again in late summer.
Habitat
Open land habitats are preferred during larval development. During the migration, the moths take up food in a wide variety of biotopes .
Way of life
Flight times
The agate owl flies in two generations from May to July and August to November. The butterflies of the first weaker generation are probably animals that have overwintered as caterpillars. The stronger second generation is reinforced by animals that have immigrated from the south. In addition to these main flight times, moths have so far been observed throughout the year.
behavior
The green or brownish caterpillar of the agate owl lives polyphagously on many herbaceous plants such as nettles , sorrel , ferns and willows . Leaves are preferred, and they are occasionally found on the flowers of asters , tulips or chrysanthemums .
Harmful effect
In horticulture, the agate owl caterpillar is an occasional pest, especially on ornamental plants such as chrysanthemums , garden flowers, vegetables, vines and fruit trees.
swell
Individual evidence
- ^ Günter Ebert, Axel Steiner: The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg. Volume 6, Nachtfalter IV. Ulmer Verlag Stuttgart 1997 (Eulen (Noctuidae) 2nd part), ISBN 3-800-13482-9
literature
- Manfred Koch , Wolfgang Heinicke: We identify butterflies. 3. Edition. Neumann, Radebeul 1991, ISBN 3-7402-0092-8 .
