Blueberry Winter Owl

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Blueberry Winter Owl
Blueberry winter owl (Conistra vaccinii)

Blueberry winter owl ( Conistra vaccinii )

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Owl butterfly (Noctuidae)
Subfamily : Xyleninae
Genre : Conistra
Type : Blueberry Winter Owl
Scientific name
Conistra vaccinii
( Linnaeus , 1761)

The blueberry winter owl ( Conistra vaccinii ) is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of the owl butterflies (Noctuidae). The species flies in autumn, hibernates as a butterfly and then again from March to May. It is therefore counted among the so-called "winter owls".

features

butterfly

The moth has a wingspan of 28 to 38 millimeters. Drawing and coloring are extremely variable. The basic color varies from light gray to dark gray brown, through light brown, light red, red brown to black brown. This has led to the distinction of numerous formae (forms). The apex of the forewings is blunt, the outer edge slightly concave. The head and thorax are usually colored according to the basic color; the abdomen , on the other hand, is partly or entirely reddish-brown. The inner and outer, jagged transverse lines are usually darker than the basic color and more or less clearly developed. In the case of specimens with significantly darker transverse lines, these are often lined with white. Kidney and ring flaws can also be clearly developed, but also almost extinguished. There is always a black point in the lower part of the kidney defect. The more or less distinct middle shadow is darker than the base color and has a strong median bulge. The wavy line is often covered with black dots.

egg

The eggs are hemispherical and have strong longitudinal lines on the outside. They are colored yellow-white, with a red band or reddish spots.

Caterpillar

The color of the caterpillars varies from reddish brown to dark brown. The back line and the side back lines are indistinct, mostly yellowish. The sideline is light, the spiracles are black. The head is light brown with darker curved lines.

Doll

The doll has a short Kremaster with two short and two longer, curved bristles.

distribution and habitat

The species occurs in almost all of Europe, with the exception of southern Spain, some Mediterranean islands (Balearic Islands, Corsica and Sardinia) and northern Fennoscandia . The distribution area extends in the south of Morocco in the west over the Mediterranean North Africa, over Asia Minor to Turkestan as well as the western and central Siberia . The species occurs in a wide variety of habitats , from open forests, shrubbery, hedge landscapes, gardens and parklands to open land rich in bushes. The habitats can be dry or humid, cool or warm. In the German low mountain ranges it rises to about 1200 meters.

Phenology and way of life

The species trains one generation a year. The moths hatch in September, individual records are also available for August. Depending on the weather, they are active until around November. The subsequent winter rest is largely observed; they are seldom found even on mild winter days. From February they can be found again more frequently; the flight time lasts until May. The moths are crepuscular and nocturnal. Due to their long lifespan, they are dependent on ingestion of food. In autumn they were observed suckling on blossoms such as butterfly lilac ( Buddleja davidii ), in spring on flowering pussy willow ( Salix caprea ) and ripe willow ( Salix daphnoides ), thick-leaf bergenia ( Bergenia crassifolia ) and catkins from Trembling aspen ( Populus tremula ). The moths like to suckle on fruits, tree sap and even on the droppings of aphids . They can be easily baited and fly to artificial light sources . Mating takes place in spring.

The caterpillars can be found from May to around July. They are polyphagous and have been found on a variety of plants: Sal willow ( Salix caprea ), alder ( Alnus ), oak ( Quercus ), mullein ( Verbascum ), quivering poplar ( Populus tremula ), ash willow ( Salix cinerea ) , hornbeam ( Carpinus betulus ), birch ( Betula ), elm ( Ulmus minor ), Alpine currant ( Ribes alpinum ), gooseberries ( Ribes uva-crispa ), culture apple ( Malus domestica ), rowan ( Sorbus aucuparia ), raspberry ( Rubus idaeus ), blackberry ( Rubus fruticosus ), Common black cherry ( Prunus padus ), sloe ( Prunus spinosa ), field maple ( Acer campestre ), Linden ( Tilia ), bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus ), heather ( Calluna vulgaris ), clematis ( Clematis ), hawthorns ( Crataegus ), knotweed ( Polygonum ), roses ( Rosa ), dock ( Rumex ), lilac ( Syringa ), dandelion ( Taraxacum ) and thyme ( Thymus ). Pupation takes place in a cocoon in the earth. The caterpillars lie in the cocoon for several weeks before pupation takes place.

Systematics

The species was first scientifically described by Carl von Linné in 1761 as Phalaena vaccinii . In 1775 it was described by Michael Denis and Johann Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775 as Noctua spadicea and Noctua polita , which are therefore more recent synonyms of Constra vaccinii . Also Cerastis brigensis Boisduval, 1840 has since been used as a synonym of Conistra vaccinii recognized. Conistra vaccinii is the type species of the genus Gloia Huebner, 1822, which is now regarded as a synonym of Conistra Huebner, 1821.

Danger

The species is considered not endangered in Germany.

swell

literature

  • Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg Volume 6, Nachtfalter IV. Ulmer Verlag Stuttgart 1997 (Eulen (Noctuidae) 2nd part), ISBN 3-800-13482-9
  • Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 4: Owls. (Noctuidae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1971, ISBN 3-440-03752-5 .
  • Lázló Ronkay, José Luis Yela & Márton Hreblay: Noctuidae Europaeae Volume 5 Hadeninae II. 452 S., Entomological Press, Sorø 2001 ISBN 87-89430-06-9

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ after Ronkay et al., P. 112/3
  2. ↑ Axel Steiner in Ebert, pp. 464–467
  3. ↑ Red Lists of the FRG

Web links

Commons : Blueberry Winter Owl  - Album with pictures, videos and audio files