Gray heather owl

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Gray heather owl
Lycophotia molothina.jpg

Gray heather owl ( Lycophotia molothina )

Systematics
Family : Owl butterfly (Noctuidae)
Subfamily : Noctuinae
Tribe : Noctuini
Sub tribus : Noctuina
Genre : Lycophotia
Type : Gray heather owl
Scientific name
Lycophotia molothina
( Esper , 1789)

The lycophotia molothina ( Lycophotia molothina ) is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of cutworms (Noctuidae). In the past, various other German names were created for this species, none of which were generally used: Weißmoos-Kieferheiden-Erdeule, Grauschlackze Heideeule, Graue Besenheideeule, Graue Gorse Owl.

features

butterfly

The moths reach a wingspan of 38 to 40 millimeters. With the nominate form ssp. L. molothina molothina has a gray to gray-brown basic color of the forewings. Sometimes they are slightly dusty reddish. Kidney and ring flaws are filled in light gray, have a thin black border and are clearly recognizable. Flaws are narrow and less distinct. It is characterized by a whitish to light gray-blue ray on the front edge , which extends from the root to the beginning of the midfield. The transverse lines and the wavy line are usually weaker. The ssp is strongly darkened. L. molothina occidentalis , where blemishes and lines can hardly be seen. The hind wings are colored white-gray without drawing. Only the veins stand out more clearly.

Caterpillar

Younger caterpillars are colored emerald green and have five light stripes. Adult caterpillars change color to dark green, reddish gray, or brown. They then show three ocher yellow, black bordered back lines and two dark side stripes.

Geographical distribution and habitat

The species is distributed through southwest and central Europe. The gray heather owl prefers to inhabit heather areas and sparse pine forests.

Way of life

The main flight time of the nocturnal moths, which fly in one generation per year, are the months May to July. They come across artificial light sources as well as bait . The caterpillars live from August, overwinter and pupate in April of the following year. They feed on heather ( Calluna vulgaris ).

Danger

The gray heather owl is rarely found in the German federal states, is considered extinct or lost in some areas and is listed in category 2 (endangered) on the Red List of Endangered Species .

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Michael Fibiger: Noctuinae II . In: WG Tremewan (Ed.): Noctuidae Europaeae . 1st edition. tape 2 . Entomological Press, Sorø 1993, ISBN 87-89430-02-6 (English).
  2. ↑ Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 4: Owls. (Noctuidae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1971, ISBN 3-440-03752-5 .
  3. ^ Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 7 . Moth V Noctuidae 3rd part. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 1998, ISBN 3-8001-3500-0 .
  4. ↑ Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Ed.): Red List of Endangered Animals in Germany . Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster 1998, ISBN 3-89624-110-9 .

literature

  • Michael Fibiger: Noctuinae II . In: WG Tremewan (Ed.): Noctuidae Europaeae . 1st edition. tape 2 . Entomological Press, Sorø 1993, ISBN 87-89430-02-6 (English).
  • Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 7 . Moth V Noctuidae 3rd part. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 1998, ISBN 3-8001-3500-0 .

Web links

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