Cos Monk

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Cos Monk
Cucullia lactucae.jpg

Lettuce monk ( Cucullia lactucae )

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Owl butterfly (Noctuidae)
Subfamily : Cuculliinae
Genre : Cucullia
Type : Cos Monk
Scientific name
Cucullia lactucae
( Denis & Schiffermüller , 1775)
Yellow form of the lettuce monk's caterpillar, resting head down
Orange Cos Monk caterpillar, draped on part of a bracken frond

The lettuce monk ( Cucullia lactucae ), also known as the lettuce gray monk , is a butterfly ( moth ) from the owl butterfly family (Noctuidae).

features

butterfly

The relatively large moths of the nominate form lactucae reach a wingspan of 46 to 53 millimeters and have a blue-gray to dark gray basic color. The fore wings are wider than many other Cucullia species. A very thin, black root welt runs from the basal field to about the middle of the wing. Blemishes and lines are often indistinct and only vaguely indicated. A few small, black arrow marks can be seen on the hemline. The hind wings of the males have a white-gray basic color with clearly emphasized veins, in the female butterflies gray-brown tones predominate. Both sexes show a crescent-shaped central point. The fringes are brownish in color.

Caterpillar, pupa

Adult caterpillars stand out because of their striking color, which distinguishes them from some other Cucullia species; however, the caterpillars of the mullein and figwort monk are similarly striking in color. They are white with a bright yellow back line, which is clearly expanded on each segment and often also takes on orange tones. Large, black-blue spots shimmer on the sides and yellow or orange-colored stripes that are darkly dotted at the bottom. The glossy, black head shows a yellow symbol in the form of the letter V.

The doll is very slender and has a spatula-shaped, not hollowed-out cremaster .

Similar species

The moths of the also relatively large herb monk ( Cucullia lucifuga ) (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) differ in a blackish stripe on the back from the thorax over the abdomen and the white fringes on the hind wings. The ocher-colored spot on the forewings typical of the shadow monk ( Cucullia umbratica ), (Linnaeus, 1758) is missing in lactucae . From the following gray monk owls:

differs lactucae usually by the wider wings and the more rounded apex of the hind wings. However, the above-mentioned distinguishing features are minor, so that a genital morphological examination is advisable for a reliable determination.

Since the lactucae caterpillars are unmistakable, they can also be clearly assigned through breeding.

Occurrence and habitat

The species is distributed from the Pyrenees through the temperate zones of Central Europe. In Asia, further verifications of the occurrence are necessary because there is a risk of confusion with Cucullia fraterna . The predominantly in some areas of Russia -based ssp. pustulata is noticeable due to its smaller size and the lighter basic color. In the Alps , the nominate form rises to 1,800 meters. It is mainly found in barren places, such as on weed corridors and scree heaths, on embankments and brush edges as well as in vineyards, gardens and parks.

Way of life

In its northern distribution areas, the lettuce monk forms one generation a year, with the main flight time being from May to July. Only in the southern regions does a second generation occasionally fly in August and September. The nocturnal moths are sometimes attracted to artificial light sources . The females lay the eggs on the underside of the leaves of the forage plant. The caterpillars then live from June to September. They feed mainly on various types of lettuce ( Lactuca ). These include:

They were also found on the vegetable goose thistle ( Sonchus oleraceus ). Preferred food is the buds, flowers and fruit clusters, and less often the leaves of the plants. The caterpillars also sit freely and undisturbed on the forage plants during the day. Obviously, because of their bright warning color, they are not attractive or deterring potential enemies. The species overwinters as a pupa.

Danger

The species occurs in very different numbers in the German federal states and is listed on the red list of endangered species on the warning list.

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Gábor Ronkay & László Ronkay: Cucullinae I . In: Michael Fibiger, Martin R. Honey, W. Gerald Tremevan (Eds.): Noctuidae Europaeae . tape 6 . Entomological Press, Sorø 1994, ISBN 87-89430-03-4 (English).
  2. ^ A b 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. ↑ a b 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 .
  4. ↑ 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 .
  • Gábor Ronkay & László Ronkay: Cucullinae I . In: Michael Fibiger, Martin R. Honey, W. Gerald Tremevan (Eds.): Noctuidae Europaeae . tape 6 . Entomological Press, Sorø 1994, ISBN 87-89430-03-4 (English).

Web links

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