Light green lichen owl
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Light green lichen owl ( Nyctobrya muralis ) |
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| Nyctobrya muralis | ||||||||||||
| ( Forster , 1771) |
The light green lichen owl ( Nyctobrya muralis ), also known as the wall lichen owl or light green algae owl, is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of the owl butterflies (Noctuidae).
features
butterfly
The moths reach a wingspan of about 25 to 31 millimeters. Their forewings are narrow and mostly light green in color. The very large oval ring flaws, which are outlined in black and filled with dark fillings, are striking. The kidney defects are also outlined in black, but their color mostly corresponds to that of the subsurface. The strongly curved inner transverse line does not reach the front edge of the forewings. Some inwardly directed wedge marks are more or less clear on the wavy line. There are several smaller arrow marks in the border area. The green basic color fades noticeably with increasing lifespan, so that older animals can also appear whitish. Habitats in which there are very dark rocks can also produce darkly drawn specimens. The hind wings are gray-brown, somewhat lighter in the root area, the fringes shimmer whitish.
Caterpillar
Adult caterpillars are blackish in color. The bluish-white markings on the back and the reddish belly side are typical of the species.
Similar species
- The whitish lichen owl ( Bryophila domestica ) has very light greenish, yellowish or whitish colors. It is also significantly smaller than muralis .
Synonyms
A large number of synonyms are known for this species. These include:
- Cryphia muralis
- Bryophila muralis
- Metachrostis muralis
- Phalaena muralis
- Noctua glandifera
- Noctua lichenis
Distribution and occurrence
The light green lichen owl is distributed locally from North Africa through South and Central Europe, although it occurs somewhat more frequently in the south. Information on distribution areas further to the east must be examined in more detail, since older information probably mostly refers to the now independent Nyctobrya amasina . The heat-loving species prefers terraced vineyards with loosely set dry stone walls from the local parent rock. It also inhabits u. a. Quarries and embankment walls at roadsides.
Way of life
The moths are nocturnal, fly from July to August and live very inconspicuously. During the day they like to sit on rocks or walls overgrown with lichen and visit artificial light sources and bait at night . The caterpillars feed on lichens and algae and feed mainly at night, especially after the food has been moistened with dew. During the day they usually rest in a housing-like cave made of earth that is created in cracks in the wall. They overwinter and pupate in June of the following year.
Danger
In Germany, the light green lichen owl is widespread in different frequencies and is classified in category 3 (endangered) on the red list of endangered species . In Baden-Württemberg , however, it is on the pre-warning list.
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 6 . Moth IV. Noctuidae 2nd part. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 1997, ISBN 3-8001-3482-9 .
- ↑ Arno Bergmann: The large butterflies of Central Germany. Volume 4/1: Owls. Distribution, forms and communities. Urania-Verlag, Jena 1954, DNB 450378373 .
- ↑ Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Ed.): Red List of Endangered Animals in Germany . Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster 1998, ISBN 3-89624-110-9 .
literature
- Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 6 . Moth IV. Noctuidae 2nd part. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 1997, ISBN 3-8001-3482-9 .
Web links
- Lepiforum e. V. Photos
- www.schmetterlinge-deutschlands.de Endangerment
- Nyctobrya muralis at Fauna Europaea