Agrotis fatidica
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Agrotis fatidica |
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| Agrotis fatidica | ||||||||||||
| ( Huebner , 1824) |
Agrotis fatidica is a butterfly ( moth ) fromthe owl butterfly family (Noctuidae).
features
The wingspan of the male moths is 38 to 46 millimeters, that of the nearly flightless females, however, only 24 to 35 millimeters. The female moths of the Norwegian population have a slightly larger wingspan and are able to fly short distances. The forewing basic color of the males varies from light brown to yellow-gray to dark brown. Ring and kidney flaws are usually noticeably light. Particularly striking are the broad, light stripes that surround the veins and that stand out particularly in the fringe area. The white-gray or ocher-colored hind wings are also striking. The short-winged females have a much darker basic coloration, mostly only indicated ring and kidney defects, indistinct veins, an even more darkened middle field and dark brown hind wings. Almost black females are called f. monedula Dnhl. designated. The antennae of the males are toothed (bipectinate), those of the females are threadlike (filiform).
The gray-white egg has a heavily ribbed surface. The caterpillar is brownish-gray in color and has an indistinct dark back line, many small black dots and a red-brown head. The doll is red-brown; two thorns sit on the cremaster .
Similar species
A similar species is Agrotis luehri , which has only been found locally in Norway (Mentzer & Moberg, 1987). The two species can be distinguished on the basis of the different antennae , whereby the front comb teeth in the males of luehri are shorter and the thread-like antennae of the females in fatidica are wider.
Geographical distribution and habitat
In Europe, Agrotis fatidica can only be found in mountainous or mountainous areas, mostly between 1800 and 3000 meters, such as in the Alpine region , the Pyrenees , Corsica , the Apennines and the Balkans . At significantly lower sites, it is likely that the moths were carried there by downdrafts . In southern Norway they are found at altitudes between 750 and 1200 meters. The wider distribution also extends from the Caucasus , parts of Siberia , the Altai and Mongolia to China . It occurs preferentially in the high mountains on rough meadows .
Way of life
Agrotis fatidica forms one generation per year whose moths fly from July to September. The moths are diurnal and nocturnal and like to suckle on different flowers. They come to the bait and fly to artificial light sources . The short-winged females can occasionally be observed crawling in the vegetation during the day. They lay the eggs in groups. The caterpillars feed on various types of grass , usually eat at night and hide under stones during the day.
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Fibiger (1990: p. 71/2)
- ↑ a b c Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 4: Owls. (Noctuidae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1971, ISBN 3-440-03752-5 .
literature
- Michael Fibiger: Noctuidae Europaeae Volume 1, Entomological Press, Søro 1990, ISBN 87-89430-01-8
Web links
- www.lepiforum.de Photos and taxonomy
- Agrotis fatidica in Fauna Europaea
- euroleps.ch by Heiner Ziegler