Beech moth
| Beech moth | ||||||||||||
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Beech moth ( Diurnea fagella ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Diurnea fagella | ||||||||||||
| ( Denis & Schiffermüller , 1775) |
The beech moth ( Diurnea fagella ) or singer is a small butterfly from the broad-winged moth family (Chimabachidae). The species got its name from its caterpillar , which can generate a chirping noise through quick, scratching movements of the third pair of legs.
features
The moths have a wingspan of 19 to 29 mm. The main color of the wings is light gray, with a dark pattern of spots on them. Sometimes there are also animals that are so dark in color that the pattern blurs with the ground, although these specimens are very rare. In contrast to the male, the females have shortened wings and are therefore unable to fly.
The green caterpillars, up to 25 mm long, have a brown head. The third pair of legs is thickened in the shape of a club and serves the caterpillar when "singing".
Geographical distribution and habitat
The animals can still be found quite frequently in most areas of Central Europe. They are most numerous in deciduous and mixed forests.
Way of life
The beech moth forms one generation per year. The moths fly from March to mid-May. The males can already be found sitting on beech trunks during the day, while the females only become active at dusk. The caterpillars can be found from June to October. The caterpillars eat:
- Common beech ( Fagus sylvatica )
- English oak ( Quercus robur )
- Silver birch ( Betula pendula )
- Sal willow ( Salix camprea )
Despite their polyphagia, the caterpillars are mostly found on European beeches.
swell
literature
- Heiko Bellmann : The new Kosmos butterfly guide. Butterflies, caterpillars and forage plants. 2nd Edition. Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart 2009, ISBN 978-3-440-11965-5 .
