Espers alpine rootworm
| Espers alpine rootworm | ||||||||||
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Espers alpine rootworm ( Pharmacis carna ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Pharmacis carna | ||||||||||
| ( Denis & Schiffermüller , 1775) |
Espers alpine rootworm ( Pharmacis carna ), also known as the blackish rootworm , is a butterfly ( moth ) from the rootworm family (Hepialidae). The German name honors the Erlangen entomologist Eugen Johann Christoph Esper .
features
butterfly
Both sexes have different sizes. The female moths reach wingspans of 32 to 44 millimeters, the males 25 to 34 millimeters. Their respective forewings are mostly from a brown-gray to dark-gray basic color. On it is a pattern of irregularly arranged, diffuse silver-white or yellow-gray longitudinal spots and horizontal stripes. Several small, bright spots can be seen in the fringe area. The hind wings are gray-brown to blackish-gray without drawing. All wings are thinly scaled, which makes them look transparent. This is particularly noticeable in the female butterflies.
egg
The egg has an elongated, rounded shape and a smooth surface. It is initially whitish yellow and turns a pitch black color shortly before the caterpillar hatches.
Caterpillar
Adult caterpillars are slender and yellowish white to dirty yellow in color. The dorsal blood vessel (heart tube of the articulated animals) shimmers darkly outwards. The head, neck shield and anus flap show different shades of brown. The light brown point warts are provided with short, darker bristles.
Doll
The brownish doll has an almost cylindrical shape and shimmers darker on the abdomen, which is covered with fine hairs. There are also numerous hooks at the end.
Similar species
With the bracken rootworm ( Pharmacis fuscunebulosa ), which is very varied in color , the drawing is similar, but the wings are not as transparent. Occasionally there are also almost monochrome reddish brown specimens.
Distribution and occurrence
Espers alpine rootworm is mainly found in mountainous areas, especially in the Alps and the Carpathians . However, the species was also found in the Hungarian lowlands. In the Alps it rises to over 2000 meters. It prefers to live on rocky slopes rich in herbs and on alpine meadows.
Way of life
The moths fly mainly at dusk and dawn. At dawn they also visit artificial light sources . The main flight time of the univoltine kind are the months June to August. The caterpillars develop over several years and feed on various grass roots. They live in tubes that are laid under stones and reach deep into the ground. Pupation takes place in a fabric covering between roots. The moths hatch after just one month.
Danger
In Germany, Espers Alpen-Wurzelbohrer occurs only in Bavaria , quite numerous in suitable places and is classified as a species with geographical restriction on the Red List of Endangered Species .
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Josef J. de Freina: Cossoidea, Hepialoidea, Pyraloidea, Zygaenoidea . In: The Bombyces and Sphinges of the Western Palaearctic . 1st edition. tape 2 . EFW Edition Research & Science, Munich 1990, ISBN 3-926285-02-8 .
- ^ A b Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 3: Weirdos and Swarmers. (Bombyces and Sphinges). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1960, DNB 456642196 .
- ↑ Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Ed.): Red List of Endangered Animals in Germany . Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster 1998, ISBN 3-89624-110-9 .
literature
- Josef J. de Freina: Cossoidea, Hepialoidea, Pyraloidea, Zygaenoidea . In: The Bombyces and Sphinges of the Western Palaearctic . 1st edition. tape 2 . EFW Edition Research & Science, Munich 1990, ISBN 3-926285-02-8 .
Web links
- Lepiforum e. V. Photos
- www.schmetterlinge-deutschlands.de Endangerment
- Pharmacis carna at Fauna Europaea