Crambus lathoniellus
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Crambus lathoniellus |
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| ( Zincken , 1817) |
Crambus lathoniellus is a ( small ) butterfly from the family of Crambidae .
features
The moths have a wingspan of 18 to 22 mm, rarely up to 24 mm (or a fore wing length of 9 to 10 mm). The upper forewings of the male are whitish or yellowish white (forma egregiellus Rebel, 1915) ocher to gray-brown (forma obscurellus Mann, 1871). The light forms often have a gray-brown color mixture. The females are a bit lighter on average. A white vertical stripe rises from the base of the wing and ends in a pointed dark line. In some specimens, a white spot is formed in continuation and up to the submarginal line. Behind the center (seen from the base), closer to the submarginal line, the longitudinal stripe has a "tooth" directed outwards and towards the inside edge. The submarginal transverse line is lighter than the base color and lined with dark inside. Starting from the base of the wing, another light longitudinal line runs along the costal edge, but ends before the middle of the wing. The hem is designed as a line towards the front edge and as arrow spots towards the inner edge. The hind wings are brown-gray.
The caterpillars are dirty brown in color. The head is light brown, the neck plate is light yellowish or gray-brown.
Similar species
Quite a number of species resemble Crambus lathoniellus . Crambus pratellus (Linnaeus, 1758) is very similar ; this species is slightly larger, has slightly narrower wings and the more blunt apex.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The species is widespread in Europe. In southern Europe (Iberian Peninsula, Apennine Peninsula, Greece) it is rare and absent on most of the Mediterranean islands. In Northern Europe the distribution area reaches up to the Arctic Circle. In the east it stretches across Siberia to the Russian Far East and Sakhalin .
It occurs in open moist or dry grasslands.
Way of life
Crambus lathoniellus forms a generation a year whose moths fly from May to August. It is one of the earliest flying crambids of the year. The moths are nocturnal. During the day the moths rest in the vegetation, where they can be roused very easily. The wings are typically somewhat curled; This means that never all drawing elements of the forewings can be seen. The caterpillars live in spine tubes close to the ground and feed on grasses, mainly turf-smoked ( Deschampsia cespitosa ) and oat-smoked ( Aira ). The caterpillars overwinter and pupate in spring.
Systematics and taxonomy
The taxon was originally scientifically described as Tinea nemorella for the first time by Jacob Huebner in 1813 . The name Tinea nemorella was given to another species by Tinea nemorella Thunberg, 1788. Tinea nemorella Hübner, 1813 is therefore invalid and had to be replaced by the next younger synonym. This is Chilo lathoniellus Zincken, 1817. The species is often found in older literature under the name Crambus pratellus . However, this is not correct, as Crambus pratellus denotes a different species.
There are currently two subspecies, the nominate subspecies
- Crambus lathoniellus lathoniellus and
- Crambus lathoniellus alfacarensis Staudinger, 1859, this subspecies is on average lighter and only occurs in Spain.
supporting documents
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Slamka (2008: p. 33/4)
- ↑ a b Hannemann (1964: p. 106) (as Crambus pratellus )
- ↑ Ian Kimber's website Pictures of the caterpillar ( memento of the original from August 27, 2012 on WebCite ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (Accessed May 24, 2011)
literature
- Hans-Joachim Hannemann: Small butterflies or Microlepidoptera II. The curlers (sl) (Cochylidae and Carposinidae). The moth-like (Pyraloidea). In: Friedrich Dahl: The animal world of Germany and the adjacent parts of the sea according to their characteristics and their way of life. Part 50, VEB Gustav Fischer Verlag Jena 1964
- František Slamka: Pyraloidea of Europe Lepidoptera Volume 2 Crambinae & Schoenobiinae Identification - Distribution - Habitat - Biology. 223 pp., Bratislava 2008, ISBN 978-80-969052-5-6
Web links
- www.lepiforum.de Taxonomy and photos
- Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa (English)