Agapeta zoegana
| Agapeta zoegana | ||||||||||||
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Agapeta zoegana |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Agapeta zoegana | ||||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1767) |
Agapeta zoegana is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of Winder (Tortricidae). In English, the butterfly species bears the names Sulfur Knapweed Moth ("sulfur- colored knapweed moth ") and Knapweed Root-borer (" knapweed rootworm").
features
The moths have a wingspan of 15 to 25 millimeters and are colored sulfur yellow. There is a large red-brown ring on the outer edge of the forewings . Halfway along there is a red-brown spot near the trailing edge of the forewing. In addition, the front wing leading edge is colored red-brown in the base area. The female moths are usually larger than their male counterparts.
Similar species
- Agapeta hamana - similar coloring, but different wing markings
distribution
Agapeta zoegana is native to the western Palearctic . It occurs almost everywhere in Europe. To the east, their occurrence extends to the Urals and the Middle East . Due to the spread of their forage plants, the knapweed, in North America, the butterfly species was selected for biological pest control . In 1984 the species was released in the Midwest westwards to the west coast of the USA , where it has now become sedentary. At the same time, the introduction of the butterfly species began in British Columbia , western Canada.
Way of life
The main forage plant of Agapeta zoegana is the black knapweed ( Centaurea nigra ). In addition, the type eats at other knapweed as Centaurea diffusa , Centaurea debeuxii and Centaurea biebersteinii .
Agapeta zoegana usually forms a single generation in North America, while in Europe, depending on the climate, two or more generations are common. The moths fly from May to August. They are active during twilight and at night. They are often found near artificial light sources . After mating, the female moths lay their eggs on knapweeds. The caterpillars hatch after 7–10 days. They bury themselves and later drill into the roots of the plant. There are 6 larval stages. The species overwinters as a caterpillar. In late spring or at the beginning of summer , the caterpillars pupate in a cocoon near the root crown.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Species Agapeta zoegana - Sulfur Knapweed Moth . bugguide.net. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ↑ a b c d Agapeta zoegana . www.naturespot.org.uk. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i Operational Field Guide: Agapeta zoegana . Government of British Columbia. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ↑ a b Agapeta zoegana (Linnaeus, 1767) . Fauna Europaea. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ↑ Agapeta zoegana . Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, British Columbia. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
Web links
- www.lepiforum.de - Taxonomy, photos (butterfly with spread wings)
- www.ukmoths.org.uk