Lichen-colored stone owl
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Lichen-colored stone owl ( Polymixis lichenea ), male |
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| Polymixis lichenea | ||||||||||||
| ( Huebner , 1813) |
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The lichen-colored stone owl ( Polymixis lichenea ) is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of the owl butterflies (Noctuidae). The specific epithet is based on the Greek word Λειχήν for lichen and describes the lichen-like drawing of the forewing upper side .
features
butterfly
The wingspan of the moth is 32 to 43 millimeters. The basic color of the upper forewing varies from light gray to brownish gray. Sometimes an olive-green over-dusting and a darkened middle field can be seen. Ring, cone and kidney flaws are usually indistinctly marked, and the inside is a little lighter. The transverse lines also only stand out indistinctly. The upper sides of the hind wings are white-gray in the males and dark-gray in the females. The male antennae , which are eyelashed on both sides, are striking .
Caterpillar
Fully grown caterpillars are gray-brown to dark olive-green in color and blackish marbled or striped.
Similar species
- The olive-brown stone owl ( Polymixis polymita ) is more contrasting and stronger. The submarginal region is slightly brightened.
- The blue-gray stone owl ( Polymixis xanthomista ) differs through the orange colored over-dusting on the front wings.
- The yellowish stone owl ( Polymixis flavicincta ) differs by the yellowish dustiness on the front wings.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The species occurs sparsely in southern and central Europe. It has also been detected in Denmark and on the British and Canary Islands . In the south, the distribution area reaches North Africa ( Morocco , Tunisia , Libya and Algeria ). The main habitat are coastal areas, poor grasslands and dry rocky slopes.
Way of life
The lichen-colored stone owl forms one generation per year. The moths fly from late September to late November. They are nocturnal and visit flowers, artificial light sources and bait . The caterpillars feed on a variety of low plants, for example by Marsh ( Scabiosa ), Greis herbs ( Senecio ), Sorrel ( Rumex ) Leinkräutern ( Linaria ), sedum ( Sedum ) Grasnelken ( Armeria ) and centranthus ( Centranthus ). The species overwinters in the egg stage.
swell
Individual evidence
- ^ Arnold Spuler: The butterflies of Europe , Volume 1, Schweitzerbartsche Verlagbuchhandlung, Stuttgart 1908
- ↑ a b c d László Ronkay, José Luis Yela & Márton Hreblay: Noctuidae Europaeae Volume 5 Hadeninae II. , Entomological Press, Sorø 2001, ISBN 87-89430-06-9 , pp. 211/212
- ↑ UKmoths, Feathered Ranunculus
literature
- László Ronkay, José Luis Yela & Márton Hreblay: Noctuidae Europaeae Volume 5 Hadeninae II. , Entomological Press, Sorø 2001, ISBN 87-89430-06-9 , pp. 211/212
Web links
- Lepiforum e. V. - Taxonomy and photos
- nic.funet.fi - dissemination
- Polymixis lichenea in Fauna Europaea. Retrieved October 14, 2016